r/interestingasfuck 29d ago

/r/all Chick with genetic defect

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u/Onikeys 29d ago

I need a video to see how it moves, if the chick has control of all the legs or is just 2 conjoined chicks

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u/katestatt 28d ago

i just learned this in developmental biology!!

some genes are part of the homeotic genes which are in the same order on the chromosome as they are expressed on the body (front to back). if a gene that is supposed to be in the back accidentally finds itself in the front it will be expressed there.

this is similar to the antennapedia gene mutation in drosophila flies where instead of antenna they grow another pair of legs because the genes for leg development are in the place of the antenna genes.

it's very fascinating