Introduction to the Complementary Gene Interaction

Complementary gene interaction is an intergenic or interallelic gene interaction in which two dominant genes express themselves to the same character; independently;  however, when they are combined together, they express to a different character. In other words, two dominant genes when combined, complement to each other.

Complementary gene interaction is present in sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus). There are two varieties of sweet pea plants -- both produce white flowers. However, when two varieties are crossed together, purple flowers are formed. I have described everything about complementary gene interaction in the video below:

Please like and subscribe to the channel for my upcoming videos on genetics and other important topics in Biology. 

Read More

Concept of Intergenic and Intragenic Gene Interaction

There are mainly two types of gene interactions namely intragenic and intergenic gene interaction. First, we will discuss the intergenic gene interaction. It is an interaction between two different genes located on either the same chromosome or different chromosome. To understand this concept, I have discussed it in detail on my video below: 

In the case of intragenic gene interaction, it is an interaction between two alleles of a gene present on the homologous chromosome. Please watch the video until the end to understand the concept in a very easy way.

Read More

Why are night blooming flowers generally white?

White is considered as the lightest color and achromatic without any hue as it fully reflects and scatters all the visible spectrum of light. White stands out dramatically with limited light. Besides, color, smell and overall form of any flower are produced for the sole purpose of pollination. During the daytime, flowers with colored petals generally attract butterflies, bees, and other insects. On the other hand, night-blooming flowers usually attract moths and other nocturnal pollinators. Night blooming flowers are generally white and fragrant as well because there is no purpose for them to be colorful at night. White flowers also reflect moonlight. Why they flower at night is because they avoid competition from day blooming pollinators. It’s nature’s win-win situation for plants as well as pollinating animals. 

Q. How does the bee know which flower has nectar?

is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries. Nectar is produced by plants to attract pollinators including bees. Besides, nectar-bearing flowers are attractive and produce fragrance as well. These features attract bees to such flower-bearing plants. 

Q. Why does cactus have so many thorns?

The cactus thorns are actually modified leaves. This modification is meant to reduce the transpiration rate. Cactus grows in deserts where water is a limiting factor. If cactus has normal leaves, the loss of water through transpiration would be more. That’s why the leaves modified into spines and the stem modified to a flattened green structure responsible for photosynthesis. Besides, the thorns protect plants from animals.

Q. How does the chick recognize her own mother?

The chick recognizes her own mother through the process called imprinting that involves vision, hearing, and olfaction along with touch. Once the egg hatches and the chicks come out – they see the mother, her smell and sound get imprinted within 24 to 48 hours. This type of learning is limited to discrete and sensitive periods in an animal’s life, often when the animal is very young and it has long-lasting effects. Imprinting usually means that the animals learn to identify; approach and follow something or someone, usually a parent. And that helps the animal to find food, shelter, and warmth, etc. Chicks show this type of learning within the first 48 hours after hatching. 

Read More