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Around 40% of cats with white fur and blue eyes are deaf. The gene responsible is pleiotropic. What does this mean?

User HUA Di
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Answer:

When a single gene is responsible for controlling multiple traits then the gene is said to be pleiotropic.

Step-by-step explanation:

  • A pleiotropic gene is a gene that controls many functions and thus, a mutation in this single gene is going to show its effect in several traits.
  • Since, the gene responsible for white fur in cats is also responsible for eye colour and hearing and thus, it controls more than one trait and hence, it is pleiotropic.

User Brunie
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Pleiotropy occurs when one gene influences multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. A single gene is responsible for pigmentation and hearing.
User Gary LO
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