A (n) <u>homeotic</u> gene is a type of gene that regulates development and that, when mutated, leads to organisms with structures in abnormal or unusual locations on their body.
A homeotic gene is a gene that intervenes in the developmental program that determines the location of structures along the anteroposterior axis.
The determination of the anteroposterior axis is one of the earliest events in development, and it guides the remaining processes of organogenesis.
Once homeotic genes define the identity of the body segments, they code for proteins (homeodomain) that are responsible for activating other genes.
These genes ultimately trigger the formation of the organs or limbs of this segment.
Genes that control the position of organs have been called homeotic genes, while mutations that affect these genes are known as homeotic mutations.
Therefore, we can conclude that homeotic genes are expressed in the body regions that will house the growing structures.
