Skin color is often one of the first traits people notice in

Skin color is often one of the first traits people notice in each other. Studies in zebra fish uncovered a mutation that altered a transport protein and resulted in light-colored fish. This discovery led to the finding that the same gene in humans has a strong influence on skin pigmentation in many populations. Investigators examined the expression of transporter mRNA and protein produced in zebra fish homozygous for each of the alleles and found the results summarized below (+ = present - = absent). Does the allele associated with light color appear to be altering transcription or translation? transcription translation

Solution

The allele associated with light color appears to be altering transcription, which is why the corresponding mRNA was absent in the homozygous zebrafish. Protein was obviously absent because mRNA, which is required for protein synthesis, was not present. Had the allele altered translation, functional mRNA would have been present but the protein would still be absent.