Question

Gene dosage—the number of copies of a gene that are actively being expressed—is important to proper development. Identify and describe two processes that establish the proper dosage of certain genes.

Short answer

The two processes that establish the proper dosage of certain genes are inactivation of an X chromosome in females and genomic imprinting. The dosage of a gene is particularly dealt with the copies of the gene present in the entire genome.

Step-by-step solution

Description of gene expression

Genes are basic hereditary segments present in the DNA. The proper expression of the genome is necessary for the effective functioning of the body's metabolism. Genes are converted into protein, for which proper loading of gene dosage is necessary.

Description of gene dosage

The quantity of gene products expressed by the cell is known as gene dosage. It can change due to the insertions or deletions in the entire genome, leading to copy number variations.

The variation in the number of copies of a gene happens in different organisms. The drastic change in gene dosage is the basis for certain types of disease.

Processes responsible for the establishment of gene dosage

X chromosomes inactivation and genome imprinting are the processes responsible for establishing gene dosage. The X chromosome is the same in males and females, but it is maintained in males due to the X chromosome inactivation.

X chromosomes present in the cells other than egg cells are inactivated randomly or permanently.

Genomic imprinting determines the gene's ability that is passed from the parents to the offspring. Usually, the inheritance of the gene happens from the mother. With the help of genomic imprinting, one allele gets expressed phenotypically.