Indicate whether the following statements are true or false

Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and briefly explain your reasoning. All genes are made of DNA and code for proteins. By definition, mutant alleles are recessive and wild-type alleles are dominant. in. New alleles at a locus arise by changes in DNA sequence (i.e.. mutations). In a population of individuals, there can be more than two different types of alleles for the same gene.

Solution

1.This statement is True. All the genes in an individual are made up a chemical named DNA, which is short for Deoxyribonucleic acid. Genes are basically the segments of the DNA which tells the cell what protein to make. Proteins form the structure of our bodies and they are encoded by genes.

2. This statement is False. The mutant alleles are not always recessive to the wild type. If the mutant allele stoped working, then it will be recessive from the wild type. But mostly the mutant allele still encode for a functional protein, then it will not be recessive. Wild type is an individual having the normal phenotype: that is the phenotype generally found in natural population of organisms while mutant just an individual having a phenotype that differs from the normal phenotype.

3. This statement is true. Mutations and gene duplications are the only sources to of adding new alleles in the DNA. Gene mutations arises when there is alteration in the DNA nucleotide sequences.

4. This statement is True. More than two different types of alleles can be present for a particular gene. They are called multiple alleles. For example ABO blood group system is controlled by three alleles.