Question

Two genes that are orthologs: are derived from a common ancestral gene, arose from gene duplication, always perform the same function, or none of the above?

1) are derived from a common ancestral gene
2) arose from gene duplication
3) always perform the same function
4) all of the above
5) none of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is 1.Orthologous genes are derived from a common ancestral gene, but they may not always perform the same function.

Step-by-step explanation:

Orthologous genes are derived from a common ancestral gene. They evolve through speciation events where a single ancestral gene is passed down to different species. Orthologs often perform similar functions in different species, but they may not always perform the exact same function due to evolutionary diversification.

Gene duplication, on the other hand, gives rise to paralogous genes which are duplicate copies of a single gene within the same organism. Paralogs can evolve to have different functions from their original gene, leading to functional diversification.

Therefore, the correct option is 1) are derived from a common ancestral gene.