Question

What is a homeobox?

A. a cluster of homeotic genes
B. a sequence within a homeotic gene that encodes the DNA-binding portion of a transcription factor
C. the portion of the promoter to which a homeoprotein binds to activate transcription of genes important for development
D. an enhancer region needed for expression of a homeotic gene
E. none of these are correct

Answer 1

A homeobox is a sequence within a homeotic gene that encodes the DNA-binding portion of a transcription factor, crucial for gene regulation during organism development.

Step-by-step explanation:

A homeobox refers to a DNA sequence within a homeotic gene that encodes the DNA-binding portion of a transcription factor. Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific regions of DNA to either activate or repress the transcription of target genes. The homeobox sequence allows the transcription factor to bind to DNA and is consequently responsible for activating the transcription of genes that are critical for the development of an organism. Therefore, the correct answer is B: a sequence within a homeotic gene that encodes the DNA-binding portion of a transcription factor.