Question

3. The Reed lab used CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out the spalt.gene in two species of butterflies: I. coenig and V. cardui. Figures 5-6 compare the wings of the wild-type butterflies to those of spalt knockouts. Figure 6. Closeups of markings on the wings of V. cardul butterflies a. For each species shown, describe how the wings of the spalt knockout compare to those of the wild. type butterfly b. Based on the figures, predict the function of the spalt gene. Does the gene have the same function in both butterfly species? If not, explain how it may differ between Figure 5. Wings of . coenig butterflies (lett: the species. wild-type control;right: spolt knockout) I c. Justify your prediction with evidence from both figures. Be specific

Answer 1

3 A. Spalt knockout shoes complete loss of eyespot color pattern in the V.cardul butterflies when compared to the wild type. Wildtype butterflies show coloration and eyespot color pattern.

Another image is not given.

b. Spalt is enough to reduce or completely delete eyespot colour patterns and act as a positive regulatory role for this gene in eyespot determination. It is an example of expression of novel trait in association with the co-option of developmental patterning genes.

c. Knock out spalt show partial loss of eyespot in V.cardul butterflies. Spalt is a earliest transcription factor expressed in eyespot foci.