Differential expression of the genetic material depending on its parentage of inheritance is known as:
Differential expression of the genetic material depending on its parentage of inheritance is known as:
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option D
Explanation
Genomic imprinting:Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism by which certain genes are expressed in a PARENT-OF-ORIGIN-SPECIFIC manner:• The same allele (same DNA sequence) is expressed OR silenced depending on whether it was inherited from the MOTHER or the FATHER.• Imprinting is established in the germline and maintained through DNA methylation and histone modifications.Classic examples:• IGF2 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 2): Only the PATERNAL allele is expressed; maternal allele is silenced.• H19 (long non-coding RNA): Only the MATERNAL allele is expressed; paternal allele is silenced.• SNRPN, KCNQ1: Imprinted genes on chromosome 15 and 11; disruption causes Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes, respectively.This differs from standard Mendelian inheritance where both alleles are expressed equally.Answer: Genomic imprinting = epigenetic differential gene expression based on parental origin.