Hox genes are regulatory genes in multicellular animals that code for transcription factors that determine the basic body plan in a developing embryo. They act as switches that turn other genes on and off. Scientists have found that a mutation in a fruit fly hox gene produces flies with legs instead of antennae sticking out of their heads. Another hox gene mutation results in fruit flies with two pairs of wings instead of one pair. Hox genes affect body plans by controlling the expression of many other genes.

Question

Many multicellular animals have the same hox genes. Which statement is evidence for this claim?

(1 point)
Responses

There is a wide variety of body plans in complex animals.
There is a wide variety of body plans in complex animals.

The body plans of complex animals typically have a large number of mutations.
The body plans of complex animals typically have a large number of mutations.

The body plans of complex animals change over generations.
The body plans of complex animals change over generations.

The body plans of complex animals are very similar to one another.
The body plans of complex animals are very similar to one another.

Answer 1

The statement that provides evidence for the claim that many multicellular animals have the same hox genes is:

The body plans of complex animals are very similar to one another.

This similarity in body plans suggests that similar underlying genetic mechanisms, such as the presence of common hox genes, contribute to the development of these body plans across different species.