What is a genetic suppressor screen?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: What is a genetic suppressor screen?

Option a: 'a screen that identifies genes that makes a pre-existing condition worse' — This describes finding genes that worsen a condition, which aligns more with the concept of enhancers or aggravating mutations, not suppressors. In suppressor screens, we look for mutations that counteract or rescue the phenotype, not amplify it, so this option mischaracterizes the goal.

Option b: 'a screen that identifies genes that alleviate a pre-existing condition' — This matches the core idea of a suppressor screen: identify mutations or genes that suppress or alleviate a defect or phenotype. The screen is designed to find second-site mutations that reduce or reverse the mutant phenotype, thereby restoring function or improvement.

Option c: 'a screen in which a known gene is found to cause more than one condition' — This describes pleiotropy or a gene with multiple phenotypic effects, not a suppressor screen. It focuses on a gene's multiple roles rather than identifying suppressors of a phenotype.

Option d: 'A gene that directly suppresses the expression of another gene' — While a repressor protein can suppress gene expression, a genetic suppressor screen refers to identifying any gene whose mutation suppresses a phenotype, which can include various mechanisms beyond direct transcriptional repression. This option narrows the concept to direct suppression of expression, which is an incomplete description of what a suppressor screen entails.

In summary, option b accurately captures the purpose of a genetic suppressor screen by describing the identification of genes that alleviate a pre-existing condition, whereas the other options describe related but distinct ideas or mischaracterize the screening objective.

What is a genetic suppressor screen?Single choice

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