What do you predict would be the effect of an inversion mutation in the $\beta$-globin gene cluster?
A)No globin genes will be expressed and the fetus will die in utero.
B)$\varepsilon$-globin will be expressed first during development.
C)The order of globin gene expression will be reversed; the effect on the fetus cannot be predicted.
D)The fetal will develop sickle-cell disease in adult life.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An inversion mutation would cause a reversal in the order of globin gene expression in the cluster. This could have unpredictable effects on fetal development, but it is unlikely to result in complete loss of globin gene expression (choice A) or a switch from β- to ε-globin expression (choice B). Sickle-cell disease involves a point mutation, not an inversion (choice D), so it is not applicable in this scenario.

What Do You Predict Would Be the Effect of an Inversion