BRAINCAKEHomeobox Genes
Homeobox genes are a group of genes which contain a particular sequence of 180 bases called a homeobox. The homeobox is highly conserved in plants, animals and fungi and codes for some 60 amino-acids of the protein. The homeodomain can bind to DNA and switch genes on and off. Some people think that humans and mice had a common ancestor and subsequent mutations and evolution led to 2 different organisms.
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Key terms in this lesson
- mutation
- A random change in the base sequence of DNA (a gene mutation) or in the structure or number of chromosomes (a chromosome mutation).
- Hox gene
- A homeobox gene found only in animals, organised in clusters, that determines the identity and position of body segments along the anterior-posterior axis.
More in Genetics and Variation
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- Translational Control
- Post-translational Control
- Body Plans
- Apoptosis
- Regulatory Genes
- Variation
All 36 lessons in Genetics and Variation · All AQA A-level Biology topics