You observe that a particular gene is being transcribed during development. How can you tell whether the expression of this gene is under transcriptional or translational control?
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
14. Genetic Control of Development
Developmental Patterning Genes
Problem 13a
Textbook Question
The bicoid gene is a coordinate maternal-effect gene.
A female Drosophila heterozygous for a loss-of-function bicoid allele is mated to a male that is heterozygous for the same allele. What are the phenotypes of their progeny?

1
Understand the concept of a maternal-effect gene: Maternal-effect genes, like bicoid, are genes whose products (mRNA or proteins) are deposited into the egg by the mother. The phenotype of the offspring is determined by the genotype of the mother, not the offspring's own genotype.
Determine the genotypes of the parents: The female is heterozygous for the bicoid gene (Bicoid+/Bicoid−), and the male is also heterozygous (Bicoid+/Bicoid−).
Predict the offspring genotypes: Perform a Punnett square for the cross Bicoid+/Bicoid− × Bicoid+/Bicoid−. The possible offspring genotypes are Bicoid+/Bicoid+, Bicoid+/Bicoid−, and Bicoid−/Bicoid− in a 1:2:1 ratio.
Determine the phenotypes based on the maternal genotype: Since bicoid is a maternal-effect gene, the phenotype of the offspring depends on the mother's genotype. A heterozygous mother (Bicoid+/Bicoid−) will produce functional bicoid mRNA, so all her offspring will develop normally, regardless of their own genotype.
Conclude the phenotypes: The progeny of this cross will all have normal phenotypes because the mother is heterozygous and can provide sufficient bicoid gene product for proper development.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Bicoid Gene Function
The bicoid gene is crucial for early embryonic development in Drosophila, acting as a maternal-effect gene that establishes the anterior-posterior axis. It encodes a transcription factor that regulates the expression of other genes necessary for proper head and thorax formation. Mutations in this gene can lead to severe developmental defects, particularly affecting the anterior structures of the embryo.
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Maternal Effect Genes
Maternal effect genes are genes expressed in the mother that produce products (like mRNA or proteins) which are deposited into the egg. These products influence the development of the embryo before the zygotic genome is activated. In the case of bicoid, the maternal contribution is essential for the initial stages of development, meaning that the phenotype of the offspring can be affected by the mother's genotype.
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Genotype and Phenotype Relationship
The genotype refers to the genetic constitution of an organism, while the phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics. In this scenario, the progeny of a cross between two heterozygous bicoid parents will exhibit a range of phenotypes based on the combination of alleles inherited. Understanding this relationship is key to predicting the phenotypic outcomes in the offspring, especially in the context of loss-of-function alleles.
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