Final answer:
Thalidomide is an example of a phenocopy that can produce limb defects similar to the genetic disorder phocomelia. It demonstrates how environmental factors like drugs can lead to phenotypes that mimic those caused by genetic mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a phenocopy is the drug Thalidomide which could produce a phenotype similar to the genetic disease phocomelia. A phenocopy is a change in phenotype arising from environmental factors that mimic the effects that a certain genotype would have produced. Thalidomide is notorious for having caused limb defects resembling those resulting from genetic abnormalities.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Thalidomide was marketed as a sedative and anti-nausea medication for pregnant women. However, it led to severe congenital disabilities, notably phocomelia, a condition where infants are born with shortened or absent limbs. The phenotype produced by Thalidomide exposure was remarkably similar to that of genetic disorders causing limb malformations. Thus, it serves as a classic example of a phenocopy where the phenotype caused by an environmental factor - in this case, a drug - mimics a phenotype that is also produced by a genetic mutation.
The concept of phenocopies expands our understanding of phenotype-genotype interactions. It underscores the importance of considering environmental factors alongside genetic predispositions when evaluating diseases and disorders. When analyzing phenotypes, it's crucial to distinguish between changes caused by genetic mutations and those induced by environmental influences like drugs or other agents.
Learn more about phenocopy