8.

Timing of Gene Expression

THE ROLE OF GENES IN EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

Genes: direct every aspect of dev from fertilization > every characteristic > specific enzyme -> specialised cells -> specific individual

GENE CASCADES DETERMINING LIMB FORMATION IN BIRDS + MAMMALS

Gene Cascades: - operate genes controlling complex dev in multi-cell org - ensures gene turned off/on in -> particular order -> only in correct cells Operate: Protein prod by one gene = transcription factor to turn on next gene -> many genes switched on in right sequence + place = working parts -> every cell dev right time + sequence + place = body constructed correctly

Eg. Limb Formation 1. Maternal genes Embryo dev anterior (front) + posterior (back) ends 2. Other genes Embryo form into series segments anterior -> posterior 3. Turn on Homeotic genes Series of genes direct dev of segments anterior -> posterior 4. Each Homeotic gene begins cascade within its segment - regions destined to become limbs, genes which cause limb buds to grow are switched on - genes in cells within each bud cause it to form the correct parts - cascade works outwards base -> extremities of limb Importance: Without properly functioning gene cascades -> dev improperly/not at all Eg. Thalidomide morning-sickness drug = Thalidomide babies

GENE HOMOLOGUES
Evidence which indicates presence of ancestral vertebrate gene homologues in lower animal classes Homeotic genes discovered in drosphilia all contain a similar region of 18 base pairs homeobox Biologists made probes of Drosphilia homeobox, used to look for similar genes in other org -> found homeobox genes in mice + other mammals Hox genes BUT > Drosphilia 3 homeotic genes lined up along a chrom in same order as parts of the body they control > Mammals separate sets Hox genes on 4 chrom -> Since been found in most grps multi-cell org Genes with similar structures + functions in diff org = Homologous/Homologues (evd evo)

EVOLUTION OF GENES
Evidence from current research about the evolution of genes + their actions Chromosome maps deduce evo relationships HGP + animal sequencing projects Homeotic genes in most/all grps multi-cell = genes evolved in a common ancestor Eg. Drosophilia + Mice (Hox genes) - similar function + structure - expressed in same order found = 4 sets in mice suggest original set duplicated itself 3 times in course of evo + additional copies + delete Eg. Insects + mice (Eye gene) - interchange -> still function correctly

ASSESS EVIDENCE THAT ANALYSIS OF GENES PROVIDES FOR EVO RELATIONSHIPS

Article: Study of Aquatic bird genes reveals surprising evo relationships Elegant Flamingo (long legs for wading) Closest link Squat Grebe (short leg for diving) - disproves the assumption of the traditional classification system -> relationships via phenotypic similarities - suggests structures evolved repeatedly (not just once) in history of diff aq bird species - many species in study located on ends of branch in fam tree not farther back in time on its trunk -> evolutionary change in aquatic birds proceeded at faster pace than prev recog Quite valid - 2 diff kinds genetic analyses using DNA samples obtained from separate sources - so much data from two diff techniques, paints the same picture of evo history of aquatic birds - researchers John Kirsch + Blaine Hedges didnt base their results on their initial examinations only -> additional examinations using diff sources of flamingo + grebe genetic material DNA Hybridisation used by Kirsch

DNA sequencing has identifies similar genes in different organisms E.G. The genes that code for the enzymes of respiration are very similar for every living organism, from bacteria to humans. This suggests that all organisms evolved from a single ancestor, and the gene for respiration first evolved in this common ancestor.

Also, the study of HOX genes provides evidence for evolution as the genes have remained similar for many organisms, and the function is the same regardless of what organism the gene is placed in.

The similarity of genes shows relatedness of organisms in relation to evolution, e.g. humans and chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA.