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Questions for Discussion: Animal Body Plans: Homeobox Genes
Why are homeotic (aka "homeobox", or Hox) genes considered "master switches?" How many Hox genes are there in fruit flies, mice and humans? How do scientists know all these carriers of Hox genes arose from a common ancestor? The fruit fly (Drosophila) and mouse homeobox gene sequences do not look exactly alike. Can you guess why?
