On the use of metaphor to understand, explain, or rationalize redundant genes in yeast

Abstract

The proposal that yeast, and cells in general, contains redundant genes that enable cells to survive mutational change has been supported by experiments and a strong metaphor. The redundant gene proposal is analyzed, and it is noted that there are many problems with the redundant gene model. An alternative metaphor is suggested to explain the genetic composition of a yeast culture. © 2008 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.