The coat color in a Siamese cat is determined by a temperature-sensitive allele that allows the brownish pigment melanin to be produced in extremities of the body. What might explain this phenomenon?

a. Extremities in a cat are more prone to damage from sunlight.
b. Alleles are used to produce proteins that function best in specific temperature ranges.
c. Melanin appears darker in extremities because less light is reflected.
d. Siamese cats evolved in warm climates and did not need melanin.

b. Alleles are used to produce proteins that function best in specific temperature ranges.