Question

The difference in epistasis and gene interaction is ___________________

(a) Gene interaction involves two genes

(b) Epistasis modifies the normal Mendelian ratio

(c) Epistasis involves two genes

(d) Gene interaction produces a novel phenotype

I had been asked this question during a job interview.

The doubt is from Gene Interactions topic in division Extension and Deviation from Mendelian Genetic Principles of Cytogenetics

Answer 1

Right answer is (d) Gene interaction produces a novel phenotype

To explain I would say: In case of gene interaction the product of two genes affects the same phenotype and the resultant product might express a novel phenotype. In epistasis, no new phenotypic expression is seen.