The traditional approach to the study of gene function begins with the identification of mutant organisms. For example, suppose that a geneticist were interested in genes that affect cardiac function in mammals. A first step would be to find individuals—
An alternative approach is to begin with a genotype—
Forward genetics begins with a phenotype and detects and analyzes the genotype that causes that phenotype. Reverse genetics begins with a gene sequence and determines the phenotype it encodes.
CONCEPT CHECK 6
A geneticist interested in immune function induces random mutations in a number of specific genes in mice and then determines which of the resulting mutant mice have impaired immune function. This is an example of
forward genetics.
reverse genetics.
both forward and reverse genetics.
neither forward nor reverse genetics.
b