The agouti gene, when expressed in mice, makes them obese, ravenous, yellow, and prone to diabetes. The agouti phenotype is dominant. During ovulation a female agouti mouse is given a drug that methylates (or shuts off) the agouti gene. She is then bred to another mouse and gives birth to a litter of baby mice, none of whom have the agouti phenotype. Which of the following is accurate?

Question

A. Her offspring inherited the methylated form of the agouti gene.
B. An epigenetic change in the mother was passed to her offspring.
C. The agouti gene will be inactivated for the entire lives of her offspring.
D. All of the answers are correct.

Answer 1

Answer: D