Gene C controls fur pigmentation in Himalayan rabbits, which are pictured below. The rabbit on the left has pigmentation on its ears, nose, and feet, where it loses most of its body heat. The rabbit on the right has no fur pigmentation. What is the best explanation for this difference in pigmentation? a The type of genes present in the rabbits are related to the surrounding environment. b Higher temperatures cause genes to mutate during development. c The genes for dark fur color and light fur color are located on different chromosomes. d Environment affects the expression of the genes for that trait.

Answer 1

The best explanation for the difference in pigmentation in Himalayan rabbits is:

d) Environment affects the expression of the genes for that trait.

In Himalayan rabbits, the pigment gene is temperature-sensitive, meaning that the areas of the rabbit that are cooler (like the ears, nose, and feet) exhibit pigmentation, while the warmer parts of the body remain light-colored. This phenomenon illustrates how environmental factors can influence gene expression.