Question

The agouti locus helps determine coat color in mice, and this phenotype can vary from light to dark between genetically identical individuals. You discovered a drug that reduces the variation in the agouti phenotype. What is a likely explanation for this drug's mechanism of action?

Answer 1

The drug likely acts on the gene responsible for pigment production to reduce variation in the agouti phenotype.

Step-by-step explanation:

A likely explanation for the drug's mechanism of action in reducing the variation in the agouti phenotype is that it targets the gene responsible for pigment production (gene C). The drug may regulate the expression or function of the C gene, resulting in a more consistent coat coloration among genetically identical individuals. By modulating the expression of this gene, the drug can override the effects of the agouti locus and promote a more uniform phenotype.