Question

Which of the following is NOT true of the Drosophila bicoid gene?

The bicoid gene encodes an mRNA that is deposited into the egg by the mother and is localized in one end of the egg.

The bicoid mRNA is translated to Bicoid protein after the egg is fertilized.

The bicoid gene encodes a protein that specifies the anterior end of the embryo.

The bicoid gene is considered to be a cytoplasmic polarity gene.

none of the above (i.e. all the above are true of the Drosophila bicoid gene.

Answer 1

ANSWER

None of the above

Explanation

The bicoid (bcd) gene is a well-known maternal patterning gene/maternal effect gene. Maternally synthesized bicoid mRNAs attach to microtubules and are concentrated at the anterior ends of forming Drosophila eggs. mRNA translation to bicoid gene can be detected shortly after egg deposition, and immediately after fertilization, at the anterior tip of the embryo to establish concentration gradients that span the egg. Bicoid gene encodes a protein which specifies the anterior end of the embryo. This bicoid protein concentration gradient determines the anterior- posterior patterning.   Maternal effect genes are responsible for the polarity of the egg and of the embryo. The developing egg (oocyte) is polarized by differentially localized mRNA molecules.