Synteny describes conservation of what?

• A. Number of genes in a species
• B. Number of exons in a gene
• C. The order of genes in a chromosomal region
• D. Number of chromosomes in an organism

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of synteny: Synteny refers to the conservation of blocks of genes on chromosomes across different species.
2. Recognize that synteny is not about the number of genes, exons, or chromosomes, but rather the order or arrangement of genes within a chromosomal region.
3. Consider why synteny is important: It helps in understanding evolutionary relationships and functional similarities between species.
4. Explore examples of synteny: Look at comparative genomics studies where synteny is used to identify conserved gene order between species.
5. Reflect on the implications of synteny conservation: It suggests that certain gene orders are maintained due to evolutionary pressures and functional significance.