Question

An example of a phenocopy is the drug _____ which could produce a phenotype similar to the genetic disease ______.

A) Thalidomide - Huntington's disease
B) Aspirin - Cystic Fibrosis
C) DES (Diethylstilbestrol) - Hereditary Angioedema
D) Ibuprofen - Sickle Cell Anemia

Answer 1

Phenocopy refers to an environmentally induced phenotype that imitates the one produced by a genotype. Thalidomide, when taken by pregnant women, could lead to an increased incidence of phocomelia, a limb deformity which is not caused by genes but resembles congenital limb malformations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option for the phenocopy example is A) Thalidomide - Phocomelia. A phenocopy is an environmentally induced phenotype that closely resembles the phenotype produced by a genotype. Thalidomide is a drug that was used during pregnancy for its anti-nausea effects. Unfortunately, it led to an increased incidence of phocomelia, a congenital disorder characterized by severe limb deformities, which closely resembles some genetically inherited limb malformations. It is important to differentiate phenocopies from genetic disorders as they are caused by external factors instead of genetic factors. However, the other options listed (B-D) do not accurately represent known environmental mimics of genetic diseases.