Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
6. Chromosomal Variation
Chromosomal Mutations: Aberrant Euploidy
2:31 minutes
Problem 9a
Textbook Question
Textbook QuestionMating between a male donkey (2n=62) and a female horse (2n=64) produces sterile mules. Recently, however, a very rare event occurred—a female mule gave birth to an offspring by mating with a horse.
Why is it very unlikely that the offspring will have fully horse-like genetic characteristics?
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hybrid Sterility
Hybrid sterility occurs when the offspring of two different species, such as a mule (a cross between a horse and a donkey), are unable to reproduce. This is often due to differences in chromosome number and structure, which can lead to improper pairing during meiosis, resulting in gametes that are not viable. In this case, mules are typically sterile because they have an intermediate number of chromosomes (63) that cannot evenly segregate during reproduction.
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Chromosome Number and Compatibility
The chromosome number and compatibility between species play a crucial role in determining the viability of offspring. Horses have 64 chromosomes, while donkeys have 62, leading to mules having 63 chromosomes. This odd number complicates the formation of gametes, making it unlikely for a mule to produce offspring with a complete set of horse-like genetic characteristics, as the genetic material may not align properly during fertilization.
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Genetic Recombination and Expression
Genetic recombination is the process by which genetic material is shuffled during meiosis, leading to offspring with a mix of traits from both parents. In the case of a mule mating with a horse, the recombination of genes may not produce a viable combination that resembles a horse due to the differences in chromosome structure and number. As a result, even if an offspring is produced, it is unlikely to exhibit fully horse-like characteristics due to the genetic incompatibility.
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