11.18.08
‘Orphan’ Genes
‘Orphan’ Genes Play An Important Role In Evolution
ScienceDaily (Nov. 18, 2008) — Closely related animal species share most of their genes and look almost identical. However, minor morphological differences allow us to tell them apart. What is the genetic basis for these differences? Often, the explanation is provided by minor changes in spatial and temporal activity of transcription factors – “regulator” genes which are conserved throughout the animal kingdom.