Homeotic+Genes

====Homeotic genes determine the type of appendages and other structures that will form on an organism. A hox gene is the product of one class of homeotic genes. Hox genes provide information on animal embryos. The information causes the cells to develop specific structures at specific locations. If there is a change in the Hox genes there can be a profound impact on morphology(1).====

Mouse
The mouse has four homeotic gene clusters. All four are similar, but they are located on different chromosomes. Scientists believe that this sort of gene arrangement results from the duplication of a chromosomal region. The homeotic gene cluster in mammals has apparently been duplicated four times. Each cluster is somewhat different. Most are incomplete, missing some fraction of the genes that are present in the ancestral gene cluster. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/archive/bodypatterns/hox_compare.html

(1). AP Biology Book

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