Question

Maternal effect genes

A. are all found on the X chromosome
B. are expressed only in female offspring
C. encode for proteins that get translated upon fertilization to establish concentration gradients that span the egg
D. are expressed only in male offspring because they are homozygous
E. are expressed when exposed to high concentrations of estrogen

Answer 1

Maternal effect genes encode for proteins that establish concentration gradients in the egg upon fertilization.

Step-by-step explanation:

Maternal effect genes do not have a fixed location on the X chromosome nor are they expressed only in female offspring. They are genes that encode for proteins that are translated upon fertilization. These proteins establish concentration gradients in the egg, which are important for embryonic development. The maternal effect genes are not expressed only in male offspring or in response to high concentrations of estrogen.