Based on total polymorphism inthe Bh4 gene (not just the 22 bp deletion, but oth

Question

Based on total polymorphism inthe Bh4 gene (not just the 22 bp deletion, but other polymorphic sites too), researchers
calculated nucleotide diversity (?) in eachpopulation with the following results. The also calculated genome-wide levels of ? in each group.

a) In comparing Bh4 and genome wide diversity values, what do you notice about cultivated rice
groups vs. wild rice? What evolutionary process may possibly explain this difference?

b) Give a potential reason for why humans may have preferred straw-colored hulls during the
domestication of rice.

Population Bh4 ? Genome-wide ? O. rufipogon 0.00732 0.00438 indica 0.00022 0.00161 japonica 0.00021 0.001073

Explanation / Answer

Nuclear diversity(?) measures the degree of polymorphism in a population, polymorphism is the presence of two or more forms within a population.

Genome wide levels of nucleotide diversity recognises active regions in the genome that may be responsible for genetic diversity in various forms.

a) The wild rice O. rufipogon has a higher index on genome wide diversity. Since it has a more diverse genome and more polymorphic varieties exist of it in nature. Compared to it, O. japonica and O indica have drastically small indices. The reason for this is because O. japonica and O indica are species derived from O. rufipogon. Both the varieties have been selectively bred from wild rice over 10,000 years ago. It may also be possible that both the cultivated varieties may have been polymorphs of the wild variety that were selected for their desirable qualities.

b) Straw colored hulls could have been preferred for the following reasons -

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