Question

Genomic imprinting may involve a single gene, a part of a chromosome, or a whole chromosome. Indicate if the following statements are true or false regarding this phenomenon

1. Genomic imprinting is permanent in the somatic cells of a given individual. _____________
2. Genomic imprinting is permanent and affects future generations. ____________
3. Methylation is the chemical change underlying genomic imprinting. _____________
4. If a gene is imprinted, the offspring can express both the maternal and paternal allele. _________

Answer 1

1. True.

2. False.

3. True.

4. False.

Step-by-step explanation:

A genome can be defined as the complete set of hereditary instructions that is typically found in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

Genome imprinting can be defined as an epigenetic biological process in which a genomic domain or genes of a living organism is marked biochemically with information that is related to parental origin. Thus, it is a non-Mendelian inheritance i.e genome imprinting is typically independent of Mendelian inheritance.

1. True: Genomic imprinting is permanent in the somatic cells of a given individual.

2. False: Genomic imprinting is permanent and affects future generations. It does not affect future generations because generally it is expressed in a parent of origin specific form.

3. True: Methylation is the chemical change underlying genomic imprinting.

4. False: If a gene is imprinted, the offspring can express both the maternal and paternal allele. It is independent of Mendelian inheritance.