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Home Q & A Board Biology-Related Homework Help Genetics and Developmental Biology
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riverrat riverrat
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11 years ago
Gene duplication is a type of mutation where one gene is copied to a second location within the genome. The original location still contains the same gene, but now there are two locations with the gene. Evidence shows that this event has happened many times throughout the evolution of life.


A.  The second gene can be mutated to new functions without losing the function of the original gene.  
 
B. The second gene provides greater ability to produce a protein that is beneficial to the organism.  
 
C. The second gene provides a proofreading copy to correct mutations in the first gene.  
 
D. The second gene provides a backup copy in case the first is mutated.
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wrote...
#1
11 years ago
A. Slight Smile
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#2
11 years ago
The most important factor is probably A. For example human color vision is based on having three copies of a gene for sensing light and two of the copies mutated to detect different frequencies of light.

However B is also important. For example one of the notable differences between humans and other primates is that we have multiple copies of certain brain proteins. The increased copies produce increased amounts of brain chemicals and significantly alters brain function. Humans also have around 10 to 14 copies of the amylase gene for digesting starch. This greatly increases the level of amylase in saliva and is very valuable for adapting to a high starch diet.

Answer C is wrong. Cells do not preform that sort of "proofreading" or error correction between randomly located genes.

Answer D does have some limited value against generic mutation damage, however the question is specifically asking about adaptive advantages. A "backup copy"of a gene does not directly assist adaptation. I would probably reject D as an answer.

If this is a some sort of test question or homework question it is very badly designed. It has TWO very solid correct answers.
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tony1069tony1069
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11 years ago
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#4
11 years ago
Correct answer is A
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#5
11 years ago
A
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#6
11 years ago
A
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