/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 20 Gene Duplication and Evolution S... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 1: Problem 20

Gene Duplication and Evolution Suppose that a rare DNA replication error results in the duplication of a single gene, giving the daughter cell two copies of the same gene. a. How does this change favor the acquisition of a new function by the daughter cell? b. In the vascular plant Arabidopsis thaliana, \(50 \%\) to \(60 \%\) of the genome consists of duplicate content. How might this confer a selective advantage?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Gene duplication allows one copy to acquire new functions while retaining the original function, enhancing adaptability and offering evolutionary advantage.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Gene Duplication

Gene duplication occurs due to errors in DNA replication, producing an extra copy of a gene. This is a common source of genetic variation.
02

Potential for New Function Acquisition

When a gene is duplicated, one copy can continue to perform the original function, allowing the second copy to evolve without the risk of losing the original function. This evolution can lead to new functions, giving the organism a potential adaptive advantage.
03

Example with Arabidopsis thaliana

In Arabidopsis thaliana, a significant proportion of its genome consists of duplicate genes. This genetic redundancy can provide the plant with robustness against genetic mutations and more chances for evolution through both genetic divergence and novel function acquisition.
04

Selective Advantage of Gene Duplication

Duplication provides a selective advantage by increasing genetic diversity and adaptability. This flexibility allows the organism better to withstand environmental changes and increases its evolutionary potential.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Evolutionary Biology
Evolutionary biology explores how organisms evolve over time through processes like natural selection and genetic variation. Gene duplication is a crucial mechanism in this field. It offers organisms new opportunities to adapt by creating additional genetic material. This increased genetic diversity can drive evolution by facilitating the emergence of new traits or functions.

With gene duplication, one copy of the gene can maintain its original role, while the other can mutate and potentially acquire new characteristics. Over many generations, this process can lead to significant evolutionary changes, providing insight into how complex life forms have developed. Thus, understanding gene duplication is essential for unraveling the complexities of evolutionary biology.
Genetic Variation
Genetic variation is the backbone of evolution, and it is what allows populations of organisms to adapt and survive changing environments. Gene duplication is a major source of this variation. It introduces new genetic material on which natural selection can act.

When a gene duplicates, the additional copy is free to undergo mutations without affecting the organism's functionality. This can lead to new traits that may be beneficial or neutral. However, some of these traits may confer advantages that help the organism thrive better in its environment, thereby becoming more prevalent in the population over generations.
Arabidopsis thaliana
Arabidopsis thaliana is a small flowering plant that is widely used as a model organism in plant biology. Its genome is notably rich in duplicate genes, making it an excellent subject for studying the impacts of gene duplication on evolution and adaptation.

Due to its simple genetic makeup and fast growth cycle, researchers can observe how genetic redundancy in Arabidopsis allows for increased robustness to mutations. Duplicate genes provide a buffer against harmful mutations, ensuring that functional traits are retained while allowing room for evolutionary innovation. The large proportion of duplicate genes in Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrates how gene duplication can support a species' adaptability and resilience.
Selective Advantage
A selective advantage occurs when specific traits increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction within its environment. Gene duplication provides a selective advantage by enhancing genetic diversity and adaptability.

With duplicate genes, organisms can explore new evolutionary pathways without compromising existing functions. For instance, if environmental conditions change, the presence of additional gene copies may allow some individuals to survive when others cannot. This adaptability increases the likelihood of future generations possessing beneficial traits, which can eventually lead to widespread evolutionary changes.
  • Increased genetic diversity due to duplication allows for greater environmental adaptability.
  • It offers more opportunities for new traits that may prove beneficial under changing conditions.
  • Duplicate genes can become specialized, enhancing specific adaptive traits.
By studying the dynamics of gene duplication, we can better understand how selective advantages contribute to the success of organisms in diverse ecological niches.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Consequence of Nucleotide Substitutions Suppose deoxycytidine (C) in one strand of DNA is mistakenly replaced with deoxythymidine (T) during cell division. What is the consequence for the cell if the deoxynucleotide change is not repaired?

Three important biomolecules are depicted in their ionized forms at physiological \(\mathrm{pH}\). Identify the chemical constituents that are part of each molecule. a. Guanosine triphosphate (GTP), an energy-rich nucleotide that serves as a precursor to RNA:

Stereochemistry and Drug Activity of Ibuprofen Ibuprofen is an over-the- counter drug that blocks the formation of a class of prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen is available as a racemic mixture of \((R)\)-ibuprofen and \((S)\)-ibuprofen. In living organisms, an isomerase catalyzes the chiral inversion of the \((R)\)-enantiomer to the \((S)\) enantiomer. The reverse reaction does not occur at an appreciable rate. The accompanying figure represents the two enantiomers relative to the binding sites \(a, b\), and \(c\) in the isomerase enzyme that converts the \((R)\)-enantiomer to the (S)-enantiomer. All three sites recognize the corresponding functional groups of the \((R)\)-enantiomer of ibuprofen.

Biomolecule Researchers isolated an unknown substance, \(X\), from rabbit muscle. They determined its structure from the following observations and experiments. Qualitative analysis showed that \(X\) was composed entirely of \(C, H\), and \(O\). \(A\) weighed sample of \(X\) was completely oxidized, and the \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) and \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) produced were measured; this quantitative analysis revealed that \(\mathrm{X}\) contained \(40.00 \% \mathrm{C}, 6.71 \% \mathrm{H}\), and \(53.29 \% \mathrm{O}\) by weight. The molecular mass of \(\mathrm{X}\), determined by mass spectrometry, was \(90.00\) u (atomic mass units; see Box 1-1). Infrared spectroscopy showed that \(X\) contained one double bond. X dissolved readily in water to give an acidic solution that demonstrated optical activity when tested in a polarimeter. a. Determine the empirical and molecular formula of \(X\). b. Draw the possible structures of \(X\) that fit the molecular formula and contain one double bond. Consider only linear or branched structures and disregard cyclic structures. Note that oxygen makes very poor bonds to itself. c. What is the structural significance of the observed optical activity? Which structures in (b) are consistent with the observation?

chemically unstable compared with its oxidation products, \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\). a. What can one say about the standard free- energy change for this reaction? b. Why doesn't firewood stacked beside the fireplace undergo spontaneous combustion to its much more stable products? c. How can the activation energy be supplied to this reaction? d. Suppose you have an enzyme (firewoodase) that catalyzes the rapid conversion of firewood to \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) at room temperature. How does the enzyme accomplish that in thermodynamic terms?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Nuclear Chemistry

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Chemical Reactions

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.