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GATE 2023 BT – Question 15

Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology · Molecular Biology: Structure of genes and chromosomes, mutations and mutagenesis, regulation of gene expression · 1 mark · Multiple choice

C-value paradox refers to

  1. the lack of correlation between genome size and genetic complexity of an organism
  2. the presence of genetic sequences that propagate themselves within a genome
  3. the coexistence of multiple alleles at a genetic locus
  4. the concept that two or more genes may have the same function

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Correct answer: (A) the lack of correlation between genome size and genetic complexity of an organism

Explanation

The **C-value** is the amount of DNA in the haploid genome of a species.

The **C-value paradox** (or C-value enigma) is the observation that genome size does **not** correlate with the complexity of an organism. For example, some amoebae and salamanders have far more DNA than humans. The explanation is that much of the genome is non-coding, repetitive or transposon-derived DNA.

Answer **A**.