Visualizing Gene-Expression Patterns
To understand what a gene does, particularly its role in an organism’s development, it is useful to know where and when it is turned on. Take a look at this animation:
Animation: “Wing Morph”
The light green in the animation shows where a gene called Distal-less is active in the developing butterfly larva. The pattern of seven light green spots clearly illustrates that Distal-less has something to do with eye-spot development.
The gene is also expressed in a wide band around the margin of the wing, suggesting that it plays an important role in the growth of the wing.
