Many animals have a mutually-beneficial, symbiotic relationship with bacteria that reside in their guts. To study the effects of these relationships in more detail, research organisms such as fish and mice have been raised under germ-free conditions. What important process do you predict is compromised in germ-free mice?  

A.  synthesis of essential amino acids
B.  vitamin C synthesis
C.  leptin synthesis
D.  vitamin D synthesis
E.  vitamin K synthesis

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?

Gather Content
· What do you know about essential nutrients can be made by bacteria in the intestines? What other information is related to the question?

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?


E.  vitamin K synthesis

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o The question asks about essential nutrients can be made by bacteria in the intestines.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o You are being asked to apply your knowledge about essential nutrients can be made by bacteria in the intestines.

Gather Content
· What do you know about essential nutrients can be made by bacteria in the intestines? What other information is related to the question?
        o All mammals rely on intestinal bacteria to synthesize vitamin K, which is necessary for the clotting of blood. Vitamin C must be consumed, while vitamin D can be consumed or made by the skin. Essential amino acids by definition cannot be made in sufficient levels and need to be eaten. Leptin is a hormone that is made in adipose tissue.

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o The best answer is that all mammals rely on intestinal bacteria to synthesize vitamin K. The other answers are either not essential, or must be consumed and are not made by intestinal bacteria.

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked you to apply your knowledge about essential nutrients can be made by bacteria in the intestines. If you got the correct answer, great job! If you got an incorrect answer, where did the process break down? Did you think that leptin could not be made by animals? Did you think that essential amino acids could be made by an animal?

Biology & Microbiology

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