Question

Question 15 2 pts The deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, transmits the Lyme disease bacterium. This tick produces an unusual amidase enzyme that digests the Lyme bacterium's cell walls, preventing the bacterium from multiplying much in ticks. Molecular analysis reveals that the gene encoding this enzyme is phylogenetically related to bacterial genes that bacteria use to compete against each other. No other animal gene resembles this amidase enzyme gene. How did this gene evolve in ticks? Like most genes, via repeated mutation and selection Via tandem duplication and neo-functionalization Probably by a sifting and winnowing process in which ticks randomly re-assembled other genes Via horizontal gene transfer from bacteria into arthropods Ticks are more closely related to bacteria than other animals, so via a common

Answer 1

The 1st and 2nd options can be the answer, as most genes evolve by mutation and selection but the evolution of gene in these ticks can be due to neo functionalization too. But I guess I would go with 2nd option. But do check by referring some books.

Hope this helps. Good luck!!