Which of the following items does not necessarily exist in a simple linear relationship with the number of gene-duplication events when placed as the label on the vertical axis of the following graph?

A) number of genes
B) number of DNA base pairs
C) genome size
D) mass (in picograms) of DNA
E) phenotypic complexity

Question

Which of the following items does not necessarily exist in a simple linear relationship with the number of gene-duplication events when placed as the label on the vertical axis of the following graph?

A) number of genes 
B) number of DNA base pairs 
C) genome size 
D) mass (in picograms) of DNA 
E) phenotypic complexity

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phenotypic complexity may not necessarily have a linear relationship with the number of gene-duplication events. Duplication of genes may sometimes result in simplified or more complex phenotypes, depending on their functional roles and interactions. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the exact pattern of how phenotypic complexity changes with gene duplication.

Which of the Following Items Does Not Necessarily Exist in a Simple