Final answer:
To determine if a gene in mice is essential for development, reverse genetics can be used, where the gene is disrupted to observe phenotypic changes. Reporter genes can also be attached to study gene expression patterns. Such methods help understand gene function and its conservation across species.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether a gene discovered in mice is essential for development, researchers can use reverse genetics. This approach starts with the gene of interest and involves creating a knockout mouse, where the gene is intentionally inactivated or disrupted. If the knockout mice show developmental defects or are non-viable, this suggests the gene is essential. Additionally, reporter genes like lacZ or green fluorescent protein (GFP) can be attached to the gene to monitor its expression in vivo. Expression patterns can give clues about the gene's function during development. Conservation of gene function across species is common, so information gained from the mouse gene could potentially be applied to understanding the yeast gene's role, and vice versa. Mouse models are commonly used to study human diseases, thus understanding homologous genes can provide insights into both basic biology and potential therapeutic targets.