platypus is one of a very small number of mammals that are venomous. Researchers compared the substances in the platypus venom to that of venomous reptiles. They found that the venom in platypus was derived from a protein called defensin, while that in many reptiles was based on a protein called crotamine. The protein structure of these molecules is remarkably similar, though they are controlled by unrelated genes in each taxa. Both molecules originated as non-toxic antimicrobial compounds. Part A: Venom in both platypus and reptiles is an example of: A. Homologous traits B. Analogous traits
Gene Interactions
When the expression of a single trait is influenced by two or more different non-allelic genes, it is termed as genetic interaction. According to Mendel's law of inheritance, each gene functions in its own way and does not depend on the function of another gene, i.e., a single gene controls each of seven characteristics considered, but the complex contribution of many different genes determine many traits of an organism.
Gene Expression
Gene expression is a process by which the instructions present in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are converted into useful molecules such as proteins, and functional messenger ribonucleic (mRNA) molecules in the case of non-protein-coding genes.
The platypus is one of a very small number of mammals that are venomous. Researchers compared the substances in the platypus venom to that of venomous reptiles. They found that the venom in platypus was derived from a protein called defensin, while that in many reptiles was based on a protein called crotamine. The protein structure of these molecules is remarkably similar, though they are controlled by unrelated genes in each taxa. Both molecules originated as non-toxic antimicrobial compounds.
Part A:
Venom in both platypus and reptiles is an example of:
A. Homologous traits
B. Analogous traits
C. Adaptive radiation
D. Genetic drift
Part B: A trait matrix for the amniotes is below. Using the trait matrix, match the taxa to the letters at the branch tips. (see attached image)
Using the image, match the taxa to the letters at the branch tips
1. Chicken
2. Kangaroo
3. Viviparity
4. Placenta
Part C: In which location(s) did each trait evolve on the phylogeny? If more than one location is chosen, separate with " and ".
Venom:
Egg-laying:
Lactation:
Viviparity:
Placenta:
Most important part in this paragraph is that the two proteins are almost similar in function and have similar structure. The similarity in the function pertains to the production of venom in two unrelated phyla that is reptiles and mammals.
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