The number of legs an insect has, the number of vertebrae in a vertebral column, or the number of joints in a digit (such as a finger)are all strongly influenced by
A)haploid genomes.
B)introns within genes.
C)heterotic genes.
D)heterogeneous genes.
E)Hox genes.

Question

The number of legs an insect has, the number of vertebrae in a vertebral column, or the number of joints in a digit (such as a finger)are all strongly influenced by
A)haploid genomes.
B)introns within genes.
C)heterotic genes.
D)heterogeneous genes.
E)Hox genes.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hox genes play a crucial role in determining the number and identity of body segments in animals during development. Insects have many different Hox genes that are responsible for controlling the number of legs they have. Similarly, the number of vertebrae in a vertebral column and the number of joints in a digit are also determined by Hox genes.

The Number of Legs an Insect Has, the Number of Vertebrae