Question

A pleiotropic gene

• A. controls multiple traits in an individual
• B. is expressed only in primitive plants
• C. is a gene that evolved during Pliocene
• D. controls a trait only in combination with another gene

Answer 1

The correct option is A controls multiple traits in an individual

The phenomenon where expression of a single gene has multiple phenotypic effects is called pleiotropy. In pleiotropy, describing which phenotypic trait best characterizes the disorder is impossible. The examples of pleiotropic disorders are Phenylketonuria, Sickle cell anemia, Kartagener’s syndrome, and Cystic fibrosis. So except for the option ‘a’ all other options are incorrect.