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Pseudogenes are the remains of broken genes which are unable to function and can be considered to be genetic fossils - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 8 - 2007 - Paper 1
Question 8
Pseudogenes are the remains of broken genes which are unable to function and can be considered to be genetic fossils. Some are relics of genes lost through evolution... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Pseudogenes are the remains of broken genes which are unable to function and can be considered to be genetic fossils - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 8 - 2007 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is one possible consequence of the loss of gene G in primates?
Answer
The loss of gene G in primates results in their inability to synthesize vitamin C. Consequently, primates must obtain this essential nutrient through their diet, making them dependent on dietary sources of vitamin C to maintain health.
Step 2
From the graph, what can be concluded about the importance of smell to the survival of these four groups?
Answer
The graph indicates that smell is most critical for the survival of dogs and mice, as they possess a higher percentage of functional smell receptor genes compared to apes and humans, suggesting that these animals rely heavily on their sense of smell for survival.
Step 3
Would you expect to find any change in the numbers of smell pseudogenes in apes and monkeys? Explain why.
Answer
It is likely that apes and monkeys have fewer smell pseudogenes compared to mice and dogs. Since apes and monkeys can distinguish colors, they may rely less on smell, which could lead to a lesser need for a wide array of functional smell receptor genes, but evolutionary pressures may not have resulted in a significant increase in pseudogenes.
Step 4
Why are pseudogenes able to accumulate mutations that do not exist in functional genes?
Answer
Pseudogenes can accumulate mutations because they are non-functional and do not undergo the selective pressures that functional genes do. Since mutations in pseudogenes do not impact an organism's fitness, they can persist and accumulate changes over time without detrimental effects on the organism.