Discuss how both gains and losses of regulatory elements may lead...

Question

Discuss how both gains and losses of regulatory elements may lead to human-specific traits.

Accepted Answer

Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this question together. Which of the following is an example of a human specific trait that may have arisen through losses in regulatory elements. Is it answer choice? A opposable thumbs, answer choice B ability to climb trees. Answer choice, C, loss of body hair or answer choice D ability to walk upright. Let's work this problem out together to try to figure out which of the following is an example of a human specific specific trait that may have arisen through losses and regulatory elements. So looking at our answer choices, we can see answer choice. A opposable thumbs, answer choice B ability to climb trees as well as answer choice D, the ability to walk upright, which we know that these three answer choices are all traits that are found in other primates. And the question is asking us to look for an example of a human specific trait, which means we are looking for a trait that is only found in those humans. And since answer choice A B and D are all traits that are found in other primates and not just in humans. That means that answer choice A B and D are all incorrect making answer choice C, the correct answer since body hair is an example of a trait that is found not just in humans but in other primates. However, the loss of body hair is a human specific, specific trait. So it is only found in humans. And it is possible that the loss of body hair is a trait that may have arisen through losses in regulatory elements such as those regulatory elements responsible for body hair. So answer choice C is the correct answer. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.

Discuss how both gains and losses of regulatory elements may lead to human-specific traits.

Key Concepts

Regulatory Elements

Gene Expression and Phenotype

Evolutionary Genetics

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