You have identified a recessive mutation that alters bristle patterning in Drosophila and have used recombinant DNA technology to identify a genomic clone that you believe harbors the gene. How would you demonstrate that your gene is on the genomic clone?

Key Concepts

Recessive Mutation

A recessive mutation is a genetic alteration that only manifests phenotypically when an individual has two copies of the mutated allele. In the context of Drosophila, this means that the altered bristle patterning will only be observed in flies that inherit the recessive allele from both parents. Understanding this concept is crucial for determining how the mutation affects the phenotype and for designing experiments to identify the responsible gene.

Recombinant DNA Technology

Recombinant DNA technology involves combining DNA from different sources to study specific genes or genetic functions. This technique allows researchers to isolate and clone genes of interest, such as the one responsible for the bristle patterning mutation in Drosophila. By using this technology, you can create genomic clones that may contain the gene, facilitating further analysis and experimentation to confirm its role in the observed phenotype.

Genomic Cloning and Gene Mapping

Genomic cloning is the process of isolating and amplifying a specific segment of DNA, which can then be analyzed to determine its function. Gene mapping involves identifying the location of a gene within a genome, often using techniques like PCR, sequencing, or hybridization. To demonstrate that the gene is on the genomic clone, you would typically perform experiments such as complementation tests or gene expression analysis to show that the cloned DNA can restore the wild-type phenotype in the presence of the recessive mutation.