You are studying a gene controlling movement in C elegant Yo

You are studying a gene controlling movement in C. elegant. You have isolated a new mutant allele of this gene (designated \"m\" below) You also have access to worms with a deletion of this gene. You use crosses to make various worms of different genotypes and score them for movement. (+ - wild type, m = mutant, Delta = deletion, unc = uncoordinated movement). Phenotypes ranked from least to most severe: +/+

Solution

Answer a. the mutant gene m is hypomorphic.

First of all what is hypermorphic, hypomorphic, null and deletion. Hypermorphic refers to mutation that shows over expression of wildtype phenotype. Hypomorphic mutation refers to the expression of phenotype at a lesser extent compared to wildtype. Null refers to complete loss of function of gene.

Here mutant allele m expresses its phenotype to some extent insteat of inexpressoon as un case of null.

b.the gene m exhibits haploinsuffuciency. this is because when it is present wild type gene that is +/m, the phenotype is mildly uncotrolled instead of showing normal phenotype. haploinsuffuciency is caused by loss of function-mutation, in which only 1 wildtype gene is not sufficient to produce wild type phenotype.