Question

What is a homeotic gene?

• A. Genes that direct the development of tissues and organs in the embryo.
• B. Genes that instruct the cell to divide.
• C. Genes that direct proteins to bind to RNA.
• D. Genes first discovered in prokaryotes.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Genes that direct the development of tissues and organs in the embryo.

Homeotic genes serve to decide the future development of segments on the basis of the pattern of expression of the segmentation genes before them. Mutation in these genes switches the development of that segment to an adjacent segment, usually anterior to it. That’s why the mutation in homeotic genes of wings caused the formation of legs in place of wings. These genes are also called as memory genes as they serve to set the developmental fate of a segment which is followed from one cell division to the next. Thus, the correct answer is A.