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Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy. Definition. The ability of a gene to affect more than one characteristic. A. Several characteristics are affected by the single gene. B. C. Sickle cell disease. The gene Hb codes for production of haemoglobin. Hb s is a mutation. Mutant haemoglobin results in:

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Pleiotropy

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  1. Pleiotropy

  2. Definition • The ability of a gene to affect more than one characteristic. A Several characteristics are affected by the single gene B C

  3. Sickle cell disease • The gene Hb codes for production of haemoglobin. • Hbs is a mutation. • Mutant haemoglobin results in: • Brain damage • Heart and blood vessel damage • Spleen enlargement then atrophy • Kidney damage leading to blood in urine

  4. PKU (phenylketonuria) • The PKU gene codes for the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. • This enzyme converts the phenylalanine to tyrosine. Both are amino acids. • Mutations to the gene result in: • Mental retardation • Reduced hair and skin pigmentation • Damage to body parts from toxic levels of phenylalanine • PKU is totally benign if a diet free from phenylalanine is maintained.

  5. Fruit fly and vestigial wing • The vestigial gene plays a critical role in wing development. • vv will develop short wings • The affects are: • Cannot fly • Number of egg strings in a fly's ovaries changes • Position of bristles on a fly's scutellum alters, • Length of a fly's life decreases

  6. Pigmentation and deafness in cats • About 40% of cats with white fur and blue eyes are deaf • The gene affects pigmentation as well as ability to hear • Pigmentation may play a role in maintaining fluid in ear canals

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