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In cats, a temperature-sensitive allele produces the Siamese phenotype, in which the cooler extremities are dark and the warmer trunk area is lighter. A Siamese cat that spends most of its time outside was accidentally injured in a trap and required several stitches in its right front paw. The veterinarian had to shave the fur from the paw and leg, which originally had rather dark fur. Later, when the fur grew back, it was much lighter than the fur on the other three legs. Do you think this injury occurred in the hot summer or cold winter? Explain your answer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The injury is more likely to have occurred in the hot summer, given the cat's fur, which regrew lighter on the injured leg. This light fur indicates a warmer part of the body, which is consistent with higher environmental temperatures typically observed in summer.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the behavior of the allele

First consider the effect of the temperature-sensitive allele in Siamese cats. This allele causes the cat's fur to change color based on the temperature of its environment and body parts. Darker fur is found on the cooler parts of the cat's body while lighter fur is found on the warmer parts.
02

Consider the circumstances of injury

Since the Siamese cat had its fur shaved and stitched due to an injury, the fur regrowth indicates a change in temperature of the paw and leg. The fur which was originally darker (showing a cooler part of the body) grew back much lighter (indicative of a warmer part of the body).
03

Determine the season of injury

To choose between summer or winter based on the behavioral traits of the temperature-sensitive allele: if the paw and leg had become warmer, the fur that grows back will be lighter, which is the observed output. This would be more likely to happen during the summer when temperatures are typically higher.

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