In a species of flowering plant, two genes—Gene X and Gene Y exist. Both genes encode similar transcription factors involved in leaf development. Researchers create single mutants for each gene (xx and yy) and a double mutant (xx yy).
They observe the following:
YYxx i.e. x mutant: Normal leaf development
yyXX i.e. y mutant: Normal leaf development
yyxx double mutant: Abnormal leaf development
What is the most likely explanation for the observed phenotypes?

Question

In a species of flowering plant, two genes—Gene X and Gene Y exist. Both genes encode similar transcription factors involved in leaf development. Researchers create single mutants for each gene (xx and yy) and a double mutant (xx yy).

They observe the following:

YYxx i.e. x mutant: Normal leaf development
yyXX i.e. y mutant: Normal leaf development
yyxx double mutant: Abnormal leaf development

What is the most likely explanation for the observed phenotypes?

Accepted Answer

Gene X and Gene Y are duplicate genes with redundant functions; either one can compensate for the loss of the other.

Answer

Gene X and Gene Y are part of a metabolic pathway where one activates the other.

Answer

Gene X and Gene Y are complementary genes that must both be functional for leaf development.

Answer

Gene X and Gene Y are non-functional pseudogenes.

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In a species of flowering plant, two genes— Gene X and Gene Y exist . Both...

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