Question

This figure shows the human beta-globin multigene family.

(a) Human β-globin gene cluster (chromosome 11) Pseudogene ↑Alu site O Exon ult nt ψβ1

a.What is a pseudogene?

b. What is an Alu element?

c. Using the information in the diagram, explain how the globin genes may have been duplicated.

d. Two other processes involved in the evolution of multigene families are point mutation and exon shuffling. Briefly define each process. Does the diagram give any evidence that either has occurred in the evolution of the globin genes? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

a. Pseudogene are the gene present in the genome of an organism that are non-functional. They are thought to active once during the course of evolution.  

b. Alu are one type of transposable element that is most abundant too. They are one of the common transposable element in the human genome. Alu is a short stretch of DNA and name is taken by the action of Arthobacter luteus which is a restriction endonuclease.

c. Globin genome have duplicated with the help of transposable element known as Alu.These element result in the duplication of genome by the Alu transposable element.

d. Point mutation is the mutation within the genome at only one or few single nucleotide. Exon shuffling is the phenomenon where exons shuffle their location in the gene so that they rise to the creation of new gene. Yes, in this diagram, it is shown that exon shuffle or change their position in beta globin gene in the evolution of this gene.