[Campbell Biology P.435] Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus faced a challenge studying 'embryoni... | Practice Question

Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus faced a challenge studying 'embryonic lethals' because such organisms never reproduce. How did they overcome this problem to study recessive lethal mutations?

  • A: They used cloning techniques to propagate the affected embryos.
  • B: They isolated the mutant genes and studied them in vitro without needing live organisms.
  • C: They looked for recessive mutations that could be propagated in heterozygous flies acting as genetic carriers.
  • D: They developed methods to artificially extend the lifespan of lethal embryos until they could reproduce.

Explanation

The text explains: 'The researchers dealt with this problem by looking for recessive mutations, which can be propagated in heterozygous flies that act as genetic carriers.' This allowed them to study genes that, in homozygous form, would be embryonic lethals.