An organism has a relatively large number of Hox genes in its genome.Which of the following is true of this organism?
A)These genes are fundamental and are expressed in all cells of the organism.
B)The organism must have multiple paired appendages along the length of its body.
C)The organism has the genetic potential to have a relatively complex anatomy.
D)Most of its Hox genes owe their existence to gene fusion events.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hox genes are responsible for controlling the development of body structures and organs in animals. The presence of a relatively large number of Hox genes in an organism's genome indicates that it has the genetic potential to have a relatively complex anatomy. This is because each Hox gene can control the development of a specific body segment or structure, and having more Hox genes allows for more precise control over the development of these features. However, the number of Hox genes alone does not determine the complexity of an organism's anatomy, as other factors such as environmental pressures and developmental processes also play a role. Option A is false because Hox genes are not expressed in all cells of an organism but are specifically expressed in cells related to body patterning. Option B is false because the presence of multiple paired appendages is not solely determined by the number of Hox genes but also by other genetic and developmental factors. Option D is false because most Hox genes are thought to have arisen through gene duplication events, not gene fusion.

An Organism Has a Relatively Large Number of Hox Genes