What is the Difference Between Epistatic Gene and Hypostatic Gene?

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The difference between an epistatic gene and a hypostatic gene lies in their roles in gene interactions and how they influence each other's expression:

  • Epistatic Gene: An epistatic gene is a gene that suppresses or masks the expression of another gene at a different locus. In other words, the epistatic gene interferes with or blocks the effects of the hypostatic gene. Epistatic genes can inhibit, suppress, or mask the phenotype of hypostatic genes.
  • Hypostatic Gene: A hypostatic gene is the gene whose expression is affected by the epistatic gene in an epistatic event. The hypostatic gene is the one whose phenotype is affected by the epistatic gene. In summary, the gene whose expression is getting affected is said to be a hypostatic gene.

In simple terms, the epistatic gene influences the expression of the hypostatic gene in a specific gene interaction, and these interactions are examples of non-allelic gene interactions.

Comparative Table: Epistatic Gene vs Hypostatic Gene

The difference between epistatic and hypostatic genes can be understood through the following table:

Feature Epistatic Gene Hypostatic Gene
Definition An epistatic gene is a gene that influences the expression of another gene, suppressing or masking it at a different locus. A hypostatic gene is a gene whose phenotype is affected by the epistatic gene.
Expression The epistatic gene determines whether or not a trait will be expressed. The hypostatic gene's expression is modified or suppressed by the epistatic gene.
Interaction Epistasis is a form of non-allelic gene interaction, where one allele of one gene suppresses or masks the visible output or the phenotype of another gene. The interaction between epistatic and hypostatic genes is an example of epistasis, a non-allelic gene interaction.

In summary, an epistatic gene influences the expression of a hypostatic gene, suppressing or masking its phenotype. This interaction is an example of epistasis, a form of non-allelic gene interaction.