Question

How are developmental homeotic genes important to the process of evolution?

Answer 1

Answer :

In the process of evolution, the homeotic genes are important that they regulate the development of anatomical structures in various organisms. These genes encode proteins and transcription factors that direct cells to form various parts of the body. A homeotic protein can activate ine gene and repress another, producing effectsthat are complementary and necessary for the ordered development of an organism.

Homeotic genes contain a sequence of DNA known as a homeobox, which encodes a segment of 60 amino acids within the homeotic transcription factor protein. If a mutation occur in the homebox of any of the homeotic genes, an organism will not develop correctly.

Hox and ParaHox genes are subsets of homeotic genes that are important for segmentation. Hox genes are a sub set of the homebox genes.The Hox genes are often conserved across species, so some of the Hox genes of Drosophilla are homologous to those in humans. In general, Hox genes plat a role of regulating expression of genes as well as aiding in development and assighnment of specific structures during embryonic growth. This can range from segmentation in Drosophilla to central nervous system (CNS) development in vertebrates.

In humans there are 39 HOX genes, which are divided into 4 different clusters, A, B, C and D, which are located on different chromosomes.