Question

            c. Define each term and provide one (1) concrete example: a) Wild Type, b) Loss-of-function, c) Selection of function and d) Gain-of-function.

Answer 1

a) Wild type

it is a term used to indicate a gene which is found in natural , non-mutated form. Wild type is the phenotype of a species that occurs naturally. Also it is the product of standard normal allele at a locus.

Example:

The wild type of fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster, have standard phenotypes for features such as eye color or wing shape and it is altered by particular mutations that produce distinctive phenotypes, such as "white eyes" or "vestigial wings" for experiments.

b) loss of function

Loss of function is a type of mutation that results in decreased or abolished protein function .

Example:

In people with sickle cell anemia the amino acid sequence in the haemoglobin is different and so it cannot carry oxygen as it should .

C)selection of function

selection of function is the selection of fittest individuals with desired function and they pass their genes to next generation.

Example:

The individuals with high fitness for a particular function have more chance to be selected for reproduction.

d)gain of function

It is a type of mutation in which it confers new or enhanced activity on a protein.

Example:

It is important in development and progression of various types of cancer.