Question

Compare and contrast the Antagonistic Pleiotropy Theory and Mutation/Selection Balance Theory? How are they different/similar?

Answer 1

Answer :

Pleiotropy is one gene controlling more than one phenotype. Antagonistic pleiotropy means one of these phenotypes is advantageous in early life and other is detrimental later in life.

Mutation/ selection balance theory refers to a number of selective process by which multiple alleles are actively maintained in gene pool of a population.

Antagonistic pleiotropy results in delayed adaptation, an altered path of evolution and reduced adaptation of other traits. But in balancing selection its vice versa.

The overall benefits of alleles is cut down significantly in antagonistic pleiotropy. In balancing selection overall benefits of alleles is increased.

In antagonistic pleiotropy the conservation of genes is directly related to pleiotropic character of organism. In balancing selection multiple alleles is base of conservation.

The genes that control over multiple traits even if the traits have different implications for organisms fitness have more staying power in an evolutionary context.

Examples of antagonistic pleiotropy theory - DNA damage theory of ageing. Telomere theory.

Example of balancing selection - chromosome polymorphism in drosophila