• Homeotic genes are responsible for encoding transcription factors during embryo development. 

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• HOX genes directly impact the genes involved in body patterning, and code for proteins that activate or suppress certain genes.

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• Significance: These genes arevery important to evoluntionary change due to the fact that they essentially control all of an organism's characteristics during development. One change in HOX genes can result in a completely different organism development. 

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• Example: Flies growing legs in place of antennae.