Answer the following question given this paragraph: 

Gap genes themselves are under the effect of maternal effect genes, such as bicoid and nanos. Gap genes also regulate each other to achieve their precise striped expression patterns. The maternal effect is when the phenotype of offspring is partly determined by the phenotype of its mother, irrespective of genotype. This often occurs when the mother supplies mRNA or proteins to the egg, affecting early development. In developing Drosophila, maternal effects include axis determination.


Q: What is the term for when the phenotype of offspring is partly determined by the phenotype of its mother, irrespective of genotype?

 Choices:

- congenital effect

- uterine effect

- oceanic effect

- maternal effect

A:
maternal effect
