(Originais Teachy 2023) - Question Medium of Biology

In an experiment with Drosophila melanogaster, a researcher observed that the gray-bodied fly (gene A) and short wings (gene B) were frequently inherited together, while the black-bodied fly and long wings were also commonly observed together. After crosses and analyses, the researcher concluded that genes A and B demonstrate a pattern of linkage and that the recombination frequency between them is 10%. What is the definition of linkage and how can the recombination frequency between genes A and B be used to determine the genetic distance between them in centimorgan map units (cM)?

Discuss the main differences between vertebrate and invertebrate animals in terms of structural organization and skeleton development. Relate these characteristics to the resilience of different animal groups to environmental changes, such as habitat alteration due to natural events or human action. Furthermore, explain how knowledge of these differences can be applied in conservation and management programs of threatened species, considering the importance of the skeleton in locomotion and adaptation to the environment.

Protozoans are single-celled eukaryotes that can be found in various aquatic and terrestrial environments, and some are known to cause serious diseases in both humans and animals. In a hypothetical scenario, a group of researchers discovered a new species of protozoan in a contaminated water sample. The researchers also found that this species has the ability to photosynthesize and can be classified as an alga as well. Consider the characteristics of this new species and the information about the diseases caused by protozoans, and answer the following questions: 1) Discuss the morphological and physiological features that allow this new species to be classified as both a protozoan and an alga. 2) Propose a potential mechanism by which this species could contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, considering its dual classification and the characteristics of known disease-causing protozoans. Your answer should integrate knowledge of both biology and environmental science, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of understanding and addressing issues related to infectious diseases and environmental contamination.