In this problem we will explore some of the many ways that mutations in two different genes can interact to produce different Mendelian ratios. Consider a hypothetical insect species that has red eyes. Imagine mutations in two different unlinked genes that can, in certain combinations, block the formation of red eye pigment yielding mutants with white eyes. In principle, there are two different possible arrangements for two biochemical steps responsible for the formation of red eye pigment. The two genes might act in series such that a mutation in either gene would block the formation of red pigment. Alternatively, the two genes could act in parallel such that mutations in both genes would be required to block the formation of red pigment.

Further complexity arises from the possibility that mutations in either gene that lead to a block in enzymatic activity could be either dominant or recessive. If the crosses is made between a wild type insect with red eyes and a true breeding white eyed strain with mutations in both genes. Such considerations yield the Pathways in series with a recessive mutation in one gene and a dominant mutation in the other, determine the phenotype of the F1 progeny and the expected phenotypic ratio of red to white eyed insects in the F2.

#Question id: 4115

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

The possible type of splicing outcome of given gene construct will be

#Question id: 4114

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Splice-site recognition is prone to two kinds of errors. First, splice sites can be skipped, with components bound at, for example, a given 5’ splice site pairing with those at a 3’ site beyond the correct one. Ways in which the accuracy of splice-site selection can be enhanced are as

A. The factors that recognize that site are transferred from the polymerase carboxy-terminal “tail” onto the RNA. Once in place, the 5’ splice site components are poised to interact with those other factors that bind to the next 3’ splice site to be synthesized.

B. SR (serine–arginine-rich) proteins bind to sequences called exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs) within the exons. SR proteins bound to these sites recruit the splicing machinery to the nearby splice sites to ensure correct splicing

C. By recruiting splicing factors to each side of a given exon, this process encourages the so-called “exon definition, contribute to correct splicing

D. Alternative splicing is intentional missplicing mechanism

Which of the following is INCORRECT?

#Question id: 4113

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Match the transcriptional machinery with their respective RNA Polymerase

#Question id: 4112

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Which of the following is the structure of the nucleotide at the branch site of a spliced intron?

#Question id: 4111

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a eukaryotic enhancer element?

#Question id: 4110

#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes

Tay-Sachs disease belongs to the family of lysosomal storage diseases; it is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme hexosaminidase. The inability to degrade sphingolipids results in the deposition of these lipids in the cells that causes severe mental retardation and death in childhood. The most common mutation in Tay-Sachs disease patients is a 4-base pair insertion in exon 11 of the 14 exons of the hexosaminidase gene. What could be the most likely consequence of this mutation?