The gene that is disrupted to cause Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome in humans is closely related to a gene in a species of fruit fly. What does this tell you about the diversity of life-forms on the planet and their origin? What does this tell you about the importance of understanding the genetic makeup of all organisms?
What will be an ideal response?
This is an open-ended question, but students might discuss several key issues. First, this example illustrates that very subtle changes in genetic structure can have profound effects on the makeup of an organism. It might lead students to think about the interactions between genes that take place to direct the development of the entire organism. Second, this example illustrates that although there is a tremendous amount of diversity on Earth, there is also an amazing degree of similarity among organisms. The hereditary information of all organisms is contained in the same molecule, DNA, which has the same basic structure regardless of the organism. Humans share a large percentage of their genetic makeup with all other organisms. This lends support to the idea that we all arose from a common ancestor.
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The filtration rate at the Bowman's capsule is kept constant in response to small variations in blood
pressure by the actions of
a. the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. b. osmoreceptors. c. atrial natriuretic factor. d. the juxtaglomerular apparatus. e. antidiuretic hormone.
In essentially all organisms, the AUG codon codes for:a
the initiation of translation. b. the termination of transcription. c. the termination of chain elongation. d. the amino acid valine. e. a termination tRNA molecule
Refer to the accompanying figure. A semilunar valve regulates blood flow into which structures?
a. 1 and 2 b. 1 and 5 c. 1 and 7 d. 2 and 7 e. 7 and 11
A measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules making up a substance is known as
A. temperature. B. heat. C. potential. D. phase of matter.