Epistasis: The Genetic Interaction You Need to Know

1. What is the result of epistasis?

The result of epistasis is actually:

A mouse has white fur with black spots and black eyes.

Answer:

Genotype: BBee

Phenotype: ✔ black fur and ✔ red eyes

Genotype: BbEe

Phenotype: ✔ black fur and ✔ black eyes

A mouse with black fur and red eyes could have the genotype ✔ Bbee.

The same mouse with black fur and red eyes could also have the genotype ✔ BBee.

Explanation: Epistasis is a phenomenon where the expression of one gene is influenced by the presence of another gene. In this case, the presence of the B gene masks the expression of the E gene, resulting in a mouse with white fur with black spots and black eyes. The specific genotypes and phenotypes mentioned illustrate how different gene combinations can lead to the same observable traits.

Understanding epistasis is crucial in genetics as it highlights the intricate interactions between genes and their impact on the overall phenotype of an organism. By recognizing these genetic relationships, researchers can gain insights into hereditary patterns and gene expression variability.

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