GATE Exam  >  GATE Questions  >  The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which h... Start Learning for Free
The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will be
  • a)
    female.
  • b)
    male.
  • c)
    metafemale.
  • d)
    metamale.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
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.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
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').
Explore Courses for GATE exam

Similar GATE Doubts

The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for GATE 2024 is part of GATE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GATE exam syllabus. Information about The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GATE 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GATE. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GATE Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice The sex of a Drosophila melanogaster, which has 4 copies of X-chromosomes and 4 sets of autosomes will bea)female.b)male.c)metafemale.d)metamale.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GATE tests.
Explore Courses for GATE exam
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev