Question 1

(Multiple Choice)

Use of double mutants has been invaluable in studying developmental pathways. In C. elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of sets of autosomes to X chromosomes. A diploid male has one X, and diploid hermaphrodites have two X's. The loss- of- function gene her- 1 produces XO worms that are hermaphrodites, but XX worms are unaffected. Mutation of a second gene, tra, causes the XX to develop as male. Given this information, what would be the phenotype of a tra, her- 1 double mutant?


A) lethality
B) a hermaphrodite
C) an intersex variant
D) a male nematode
E) a female nematode

Answer

D