The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromoso...
Although both mammals and fruit flies produce XX females and XY males, their chromosomes achieve these ends using very different means. The sex-determining mechanisms in mammals and in insects such as Drosophila are very different. In mammals, the Y chromosome plays a pivotal role in determining the male sex. Thus, XO mammals are females, with ovaries, a uterus, and oviducts (but usually very few, if any, ova). In Drosophila, sex determination is achieved by a balance of female determinants on the X chromosome and male determinants on the autosomes. Normally, flies have either one or two X chromosomes and two sets of autosomes. If there is but one X chromosome in a diploid cell (1X:2A), the fly is male. If there are two X chromosomes in a diploid cell (2X:2A), the fly is female (Bridges 1921, 1925). Thus, XO Drosophila are sterile males. In flies, the Y chromosome is not involved in determining sex. Rather, it contains genes active in forming sperm in aadults. Table 17.1 shows the different X-to-autosome ratios and the resulting sex.
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The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromoso...
Answer:
To determine the sex of a Drosophila melanogaster with 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes, we need to consider the sex determination system of this species. Drosophila melanogaster follows a system known as the X:A ratio system.
X:A ratio system:
In Drosophila melanogaster, the sex of an individual is determined by the ratio of the number of X-chromosomes to the number of haploid sets of autosomes (X:A ratio). The presence of one or more Y-chromosomes is not involved in sex determination in this species.
Male:
In Drosophila melanogaster, a diploid individual with one copy of X-chromosome and two sets of autosomes is male. The X:A ratio for males is 0.5 (1 X-chromosome: 2 sets of autosomes).
Female:
A diploid individual with two copies of X-chromosomes and two sets of autosomes is female. The X:A ratio for females is 1 (2 X-chromosomes: 2 sets of autosomes).
Metafemale:
A metafemale is a genetic abnormality that occurs due to the presence of additional X-chromosomes. It typically arises from nondisjunction during meiosis, resulting in an individual with more than two X-chromosomes. However, in this case, the Drosophila melanogaster has 4 copies of X-chromosomes, which is not a typical condition for a metafemale.
Metamale:
A metamale is also a genetic abnormality that occurs due to the presence of fewer X-chromosomes than normal. This condition can occur due to the loss or absence of one or more X-chromosomes. However, in this case, the Drosophila melanogaster has 4 copies of X-chromosomes, which is not a typical condition for a metamale.
Therefore, based on the X:A ratio system and the given information, the sex of the Drosophila melanogaster with 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes is female (option 'A').