Monarch Butterfly Genome Sequenced

Maddi Sunshine
Dr. Boyd
Biology 1-2 Honors
Monarch Butterfly Genome Sequenced
Summary:
Every fall millions of the monarch butterfly uses a time-compensated sun compass to move from the Eastern United States to central Mexico. Going south they travel up to 2,000 miles to a specific grove of fire trees. Researchers have put together a sequenced monarch genome which includes:
“-identifying genes involved in visual input and central processing by the sun compass;
-a full collection of molecular components for the monarch circadian clock;
-all members of the juvenile hormone biosynthetic pathway whose regulation is critical for a successful migration and which shows an unexpected regulation pattern;
-additional molecular signatures of oriented flight behavior;
-monarch-specific expansions of odorant receptors potentially important for long-distance migration;
-and a variant of the sodium/potassium pump that underlies a valuable chemical defense mechanism to fend off predators during the migration.”
Critique & Impact:
I thought that is article was well written but there was a lot of information that not many people would understand. It was very interesting to learn though that these butterflies really are unique.
As far as an impact, I don’t think that there is much. Although it helps us understand the butterfly more it doesn’t help us advance much as far as studying humans.
Reference:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111123133127.htm