Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Handstanding Rabbits From the RORB Gene


The mutation in a gene was found to have made rabbits jump instead of hop because of the gene that helps coordinate their limbs. In general, rabbits walk on their front paws which is controlled by the RORB gene. This gene is tied to limb movement and allows rabits to hop. However, when this gene is defective, the hops transform into handstands and does not allow for the bunnies to naturally hop. Comparatively, there was a study that was found that mice also performed handstands when the gene was altered. This was found in rabbits as well as mice. This mechanism is called the duck gait and allows for the development of the spinal cord and allows researchers to actually learn more about how the spinal cord works in other animals and humans. The RORB gene allows for the hormonal response in which elements of several genes were to be expressed and to code for organogenesis and differentation which helps regulate the circadian rhythm and hindlimb motor control. The gene is also a huge part in numberous physiololgical processes which uses different types of internal receptors to form various pathways and neurons. This rabbits with the defective gene can usually walk normally. However, with the RORB gene, the rabbits have the mutation to use their front paws to move quickly and swiftly to do instantaneous handstands. The gene which affects the spinal cord may affect the rabbit as a whole because of the syncopated movements of the four limbs which may lead to diseases upon further research. 

1 comment:

  1. Winchester,

    I have never heard of this mutation until today, but I am very glad I came across this blog post. It is interesting to note how a mutation can cause a rabbit to jump instead of hop, and when the gene is defective, the hops turn into handstands. I will have to read more about this topic because I am so intrigued about how the gene plays a huge part in numerous physiological processes. Great blog post!

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