What do HOX genes determine?
1 Answer
Jun 17, 2018
They code a body plan (placement of parts)
Explanation:
Genes code everything that is created in the body. Homeobox genes code for the creation of body parts, HOX genes are the specific genes that say where everything should go. So you have normal genes that would say make a leg and all that entails, or make a eye and all that entails. The HOX genes say put the eyes at the head end, and the legs lower down.
Humans have 39, but the number varies from species to species. And this gene group is highly regulated because if it wasn't: imagine almost any animal born with the parts in another order.
