Question

Assume that a certain species with sex chromosomes R and S exists where RR is male and RS is female. which of the following mechanisms would likely compensate for the potential imbalance of sex chromosome sex products between males and females of this species?

a) inactivation of one of the R chromosomes in males
b) doubling the transcription from the S chromosome in females
c) inactivation of the R chromosome in females
d) doubling the transcription of the R chromosome in males

Answer 1

The mechanism that would likely compensate for the potential imbalance of sex chromosome sex products between males and females of this species is doubling the transcription from the S chromosome in females.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mechanism that would likely compensate for the potential imbalance of sex chromosome sex products between males and females of this species is b) doubling the transcription from the S chromosome in females.

In humans, females have two X chromosomes and males have one, but they can compensate for the difference in X chromosome gene dosage through a process called X inactivation. This process occurs early in development, where one X chromosome in each cell inactivates, resulting in the same inactive X chromosome in all cells derived from that one. Similarly, in this certain species, doubling the transcription from the S chromosome in females would ensure that females produce an equivalent amount of sex chromosome products as males.

An example of compensation through X inactivation can be observed in tortoiseshell cats, where X inactivation results in color variegation, with different coat colors expressed in different regions of the body.