Question

a patient falls asleep every night between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and wakes up between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
which gene is likely mutated in this patient?

• per2
• clk
• rye
• bmal

Explanation:

The Per2 gene is associated with the regulation of the circadian rhythm. Mutations in Per2 can lead to changes in the sleep - wake cycle, such as falling asleep earlier and waking up earlier, which is consistent with the patient's symptoms of falling asleep between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and waking up between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. The Clk gene is more involved in the molecular clock mechanism at a broader level, Bmal is also part of the core clock machinery but not as specifically linked to this type of early sleep - wake shift as Per2. Rye is not a well - known gene in the context of the circadian rhythm related to this specific sleep - wake pattern.

Answer:

Per2