Tag: pleiotropy

Pleiotropy occurs when one gene will code and control the phenotype or expression of several different and unrelated traits. Phenylketonuria is an autosomal recessive disorder controlled by a mutant gene present on the 12th chromosome. This mutant gene fails to code for the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase required for normal metabolism of amino acid phenylalanine to tyrosine. Due to this, there is an accumulation of phenylalanine in body fluids such as blood, sweat, CSF. An abnormal breakdown product phenyl ketone is found in urine A higher level of phenylalanine and pheylketone cause severe brain damage leading to mental retardation. Thus phenylketonuria is the best example to explain pleiotropy.

E.Nilsson – Ehle crossed red kernelled variety with white kernelled variety of wheat. The grains of F₁ were self crossed among themselves, five different phenotypic classes appeared in F₂ showing the ratio of 1:6:15:20:15:6:1.

These scientist found that the kernel colour in wheat is determined by two pairs of genes A and B. It is called polygenic inheritance.

So, the correct option is ‘polygenic inheritance’.

Mutations in the human gene for fibrillin-1 (FBN1) in the Marfan syndrome and related disorders. Mutations in FBN1 produce Marfan syndrome, a pleiotropic autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with prominent manifestations in the skeleton, eye and cardiovascular system.

When there are three or more alternative forms of a gene, it is called multiple allelism. Polygeny suggests that humans evolved from several different ancestors. When a single gene has more than one effects, it is called pleiotropy.

Pleiotropy occurs when one gene influences two or more unrelated phenotypic traits. So, pleitrophy cannot play a role in gene controlling starch synthesis.

Though Mendel through his experiments showcased inheritance of a trait as genetic, some traits results from the combined effect of more than one pair of genes. Contrary to this, a single gene may also be responsible for a variety of traits. This phenomenon is called pleiotropy.

The ability of a gene to produce more than one phenotype in an organism is called Pleoitrophy and the genes are called Pleiotripic genes. It is not essential that the traits are equally influenced. Sometimes, the effect of the gene is more evident in case of one trait and less evident in case of another trait.

So, the correct option is ‘Pleiotropic gene’.

The ability of a gene to have multiple phenotypic effects is known as pleiotropy and the genes are called Pleiotropic genes. These genes influence the number of characters simultaneously. These genes are present on same loci on two homologous chromosomes and produce different phenotypes.

So, the correct option is ‘Pleiotropic genes’.