Null Mutations in Male-Specific Lethal Loci in Drosophila Lead to Male-Specific

question 19

Essay

Null mutations in male-specific lethal loci in Drosophila lead to male-specific lethality.Why does this happen and what is known about the function of these genes?

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Definitions:

Death Rate

The ratio of deaths in an area to the population of that area; usually expressed per 1000 individuals per year.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained by a specific environment, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.

Lag Phase

The initial period of slow growth or no growth that occurs in a microbial population when it is first introduced to a new substrate or environment.

Biotic Potential

The maximum reproductive capacity of an organism under optimum environmental conditions.