Human skin cells and human white blood cells of the immune system both perform protective functions. Skin cells function primarily in external physical protection, whereas white blood cells function primarily in internal protection. Nonetheless, both
types of cells contain a complete copy of the human genome. Explain how cells can have the same genetic information and yet perform different functions. What prevents skin cells from making all the same proteins of a white blood cell?
What will be an ideal response?
Even though almost all cells contain the same genome, different genes are active in the different types of cells. In skin cells, only certain genes are transcribed to produce physically protective proteins. The genes encoding the specialized proteins of a white blood cell are not active, for example; they are not transcribed.
You might also like to view...
When atoms gain or lose electrons, they become negatively or positively charged. These negatively or positively charged atoms are known as
A. isotopes. B. ions. C. isomers. D. unstable atoms.
What part of the human body contains strong salts that can kill bacteria?
a. lungs b. mouth c. small intestine d. stomach e. large intestine
Who developed the two-part naming system scientists use today to classify newly found organisms?
a. Charles Darwin b. Carolus Linnaeus c. Aristotle
d. Alexander von Humboldt e. Ernst Mayer
How do calcium ions affect muscle contractions?
What will be an ideal response?