bithorax complex

The bithorax complex is a group of genes in fruit flies (and other animals) that control how their segments develop into different body parts, like wings or abdomen. These genes are arranged in a sequence that reflects their position along the body, and they regulate the expression of other genes during development. Changes or mutations in the bithorax complex can cause body parts to develop abnormally or appear in the wrong positions, helping scientists understand how genetic instructions shape physical structure. Essentially, it's a key genetic system that guides the proper formation of body segments.