Chapter 33, Problem 1A

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The genes determine the physical traits of any organism. A gene is a part of the DNA that gives rise to RNA, which is then translated, into a protein and this protein can alter any organism’s physical characteristics. Different proteins are created when there is a small difference in the genetic code of a gene and hence these different proteins can result in variations in the physical characteristics. Thus, the variation of the same gene is known as alleles. For example, allele 1 of gene A will result in black hair whereas allele 2 of gene B will result in white hair.

As per the given data, a single dominant gene controls carrying strips of leaves in the bill and diploid organisms in general have two copies of the genome. This means that each gene will be represented twice. The phenotype will represent only dominant allele no matter what the other allele is. The general characteristics of peach faced, and fisher lovebirds are that both build their nests using leaves. The fisher lovebirds carry leaves in their bill whereas the peach faced birds carry short leaf strips in their rump feathers.