Recent research has identified a gene (SLC45A2) that codes for a protein that affects melanin production in humans and other animals. A mutation in this gene has given rise to two variant alleles. The L374 allele correlates with darker pigmentation, and the F374 allele correlates with lighter pigmentation. Researchers collected DNA samples from people in 14 European, Asian, and African populations and identified the frequency of the F374 allele in these groups. Review the data in the chart on p. 242 of your lab manual and answer the questions that follow. In what populations do we see the highest frequencies of the F374 allele for lighter pigmentation?

Complete Question:

Recent research has identified a gene (SLC45A2) that codes for a protein that affects melanin production in humans and other animals. A mutation in this gene has given rise to two variant alleles. The L374 allele correlates with darker pigmentation, and the F374 allele correlates with lighter pigmentation. Researchers collected DNA samples from people in 14 European, Asian, and African populations and identified the frequency of the F374 allele in these groups. Review the data in the chart below (see the attached first image) and answer the questions that follow.

1. In what populations do we see the highest frequencies of the F374 allele for lighter pigmentation?

2. In what populations do we see the lowest frequencies of the F374 allele for lighter pigmentation?

3. The map below(see the attached second image) shows the ancestral locations of the populations studied, superimposed on Figure 8.2, a map of given regional skin color variation. Are these results what you would expect based on the skin color information in the map? Why or why not? Figure Credit: Map George Chaplin. First published in Skin: A Natural History by Nina G. Jablonski, UCP 2013. Used with permission.

4. Why might some light-skinned populations, such as the Japanese, be missing the F374 allele for lighter skin pigmentation? (Hint: Consider the various forces of evolution that may be at play.)

Answer and explanation:

Going by the given data

1.

The highest frequencies of the populations of the F374 Alleles for lighter pigmentations is said to be as, going by the data in the above table is (german)GERMANY where as frequency of F374 of 0.965(96.5%)

2.

The lowest frequency of the population of the F374 alleles for lighter pigmentations going by the data in  above table is

10. (CHINA)

12. Japanese (JAPAN)

14. African (GERMANY, JAPAN)

where the frequency of the F374 is 0.000(0%)

3.

Ancestral location of population which is shown on map is similar to the data which is provided in the table.

=> when parental genome has L374 allele at high rate then the offspring will have darker pigmentation in them

=> when parental genome has F374 Allele at low rate then the offspring will have lighter pigmentation in them

=> when parental genome is having both alleles at same rate then the offspring  will have moderate color pigmentation ( that is not too dark or light)

4.

The lighter skin pigmentation in Japanese of F374 Alleles is high in rate than the genome compared to L374 Allele

Due to loss of L374 Allele in their genetic material leading to lighter pigmentation in their skin for adaptation of L374 allele may be lighted up with various reason said to be genomic changes, environmental, climatic changes and style of living with their food habits

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