Biology confusion! 10 points to the best answer!?
Which statement best describes the role of gene expression in cells?
Cells destroy the DNA of genes that they do not use.
To become specialized, cells need to control the production of proteins coded for in their DNA.
All genetic information in a cell’s DNA is fully expressed at all times.
When cells divide in mitosis, they pass on only the genes that are required.
Cells in your hair follicles produce the protein keratin, which is a primary component of hair. Cells in your liver do not produce keratin. Which statement explains these differences?
Hair follicle cells contain different genes than liver cells.
Hair follicle cells do not produce DNA, but liver cells do.
Genes are expressed differently in liver cells and hair follicles.
Hair follicles contain recombinant DNA, which creates the protein keratin.
3 Responses
N E
06 Feb 2010
Peter S
06 Feb 2010
To become specialized, cells need to control the production of proteins coded for in their DNA.
Genes are expressed differently in liver cells and hair follicles.
ford_dangerfield
06 Feb 2010
First question:
To become specialized, cells need to control the production of proteins coded for in their DNA
Second question:
Genes are expressed differently in liver cells and hair follicles.
Which statement best describes the role of gene expression in cells?
Cells destroy the DNA of genes that they do not use. (This is an amusing answer. Think of it this way, if they did this, then what happens when the cell needs to undergo mitosis, it wouldn’t have the genes to express the proteins needed to undergo mitosis).
To become specialized, cells need to control the production of proteins coded for in their DNA. (Correct answer)
All genetic information in a cell’s DNA is fully expressed at all times. (If this were true, then all cells would look like all other cells and your eyes and skin and all other tissues would look the same)
When cells divide in mitosis, they pass on only the genes that are required. (If this were true, then cells would have to be intelligent enough to know what genes they might need in the future, even if environmental conditions changed).
Cells in your hair follicles produce the protein keratin, which is a primary component of hair. Cells in your liver do not produce keratin. Which statement explains these differences?
Hair follicle cells contain different genes than liver cells. (possible, but doesn’t make a lot of sense when you consider that the organism came from a single cell that had all the genes to start with (half from your Mom and half from your Dad)).
Hair follicle cells do not produce DNA, but liver cells do. (Why would one cell have DNA and another not? In order to continue to express genes, you need DNA because it is the basis for the production of mRNA and proteins).
Genes are expressed differently in liver cells and hair follicles. (This is the correct answer as it is the basis for cell and tissue differentiation in organisms).
Hair follicles contain recombinant DNA, which creates the protein keratin. (This is also an amusing answer, as it suggests that we somehow introduce(d) into each mammal that is or has ever been alive a gene for producing hair).