Question

In an experiment you attach an ice pack on the chest of the Himalayan rabbit for several days. What will you expect to see?

(a) The heart will beat slower

(b) The rabbit will die

(c) Sweat glands from that area will degenerate

(d) The coat colour of that area will be darker

The question was asked in a national level competition.

The doubt is from Effects of Environment in division Nuclear Export & Post Mendelian Genetics of Cytogenetics

Answer 1

The correct choice is (d) The coat colour of that area will be darker

The explanation is: In Himalayan rabbits, like Seamese cats the body temperature affects the coat colour. Parts that are cooler have a darker colour than the warmer parts. Here the cooler part will gradually accumulate the dark colour enzyme which otherwise is unstable at the main body parts and give the pattern.