Moderate

A pleiotropic gene:

Correct answer: B. Controls multiple traits in an individual

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

Explanation

The ability of a gene to have multiple phenotypic effects because it influences a number of characters simultaneously is known as pleiotropy. The gene having a multiple phenotypic effect because of its ability to control expression of two or more characters is called pleiotropic gene. In human beings pleiotropy is exhibited by syndromes called sickle cell anaemia and phenylketonuria.

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About Inheritance

Mendel's laws explain segregation, independent assortment and the prediction of genetic ratios using alleles, genotypes and phenotypes. The chapter also covers linked genes, recombination and crossing over during meiosis, then applies pedigree reasoning to X-linked recessive traits, which show different inheritance patterns in males and females.

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