Question

In this exercise, you will use the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene to investigate relationships among salmon species. (This gene encodes a protein that functions in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.) You will compare the COI gene sequences from your salmon test samples to the standard sequences for each salmon species. In order for the COI gene to be useful for distinguishing among the different salmon species, which three statements must be truea) The COI gene must be conserved enough that the sequences can be aligned for comparison.

b)The COI gene must not contain any insertions or deletions.
c)The COI gene must be present in Pacific salmon but not in Atlantic salmon.
d)The COI gene must be variable enough that there are at least a few differences between each salmon species.
e)The COI gene must be conserved enough that the same PCR primers work for all the species being tested

Answer 1

The COI gene must be conserved for alignment, variable enough to differentiate species, and similarly conserved for PCR primers to work across species, making it a good molecular marker for evolutionary studies and species identification.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order for the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene to be useful for distinguishing among the different salmon species, the following three statements must be true:

1. The COI gene must be conserved enough that the sequences can be aligned for comparison, ensuring reliability of sequence analysis for phylogenetic studies.
2. The COI gene must exhibit sufficient variability to display differences between species, making it possible to distinguish one species from another.
3. The COI gene must be conserved enough that the same PCR primers can amplify the gene across different species, allowing for efficient comparisons.

It is not necessary for the COI gene to be absent in Atlantic salmon or to lack insertions or deletions universally, as long as the sequence can provide reliable data for species comparison. This gene is an essential part of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and is highly conserved across different species, making it an excellent molecular marker for evolutionary studies and species identification.

Answer 2

Option (a), (d) and (e).

Step-by-step explanation:

Cytochrome c oxidase I gene is the important and main sub unit of the cytochrome c oxidase gene. These gene is used to study the evolutionary relationship between the organisms.

This exercise has been done to study the relationship among the salmon species. The conserved COI I gene is used for comparison with other species. The same primer is used for COI I conserved gene. But the COI I gene should show variation also so the differences between the salmon species can be identified.

Thus, the correct answer is option (a), (d) and (e).