Antisense mRNA can be used to regulate the expression of genes. Briefly describe how this technology was used to slow the ripening of Calgene's ill-fated Flavr-SavrTM tomato
What will be an ideal response?
In engineered tomatoes, the gene for polygalacturonase, the enzyme responsible for fruit softening, was inserted backwards. This yielded an antisense mRNA copy that bonded with the sense mRNA, reducing the effective transcript level present for translation. Ripening was thus retarded relative to the normal tomato.
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Why is energy lost when herbivores eat primary producers?
A) Primary producers have energy stored in indigestible substances. B) Primary producers cannot produce once eaten. C) Digestion takes place so rapidly that very little energy is absorbed. D) Most primary producers contain no usable energy for herbivores.
Crenarchaeotes whose optimal growth temperature is over 80 °C are called
A) hyperthermophiles. B) thermophiles. C) extreme halophiles. D) halophiles.
Neoteny is invoked to help explain:
A. how relatively little genetic change could lead to the significant differences we see between ourselves and chimps. B. how our large brains evolved. C. why selection favored relative hairlessness in humans compared to our great ape-like ancestors. D. skin color variation among human populations. E. None of the above.
The difference between somatic cell gene therapy and germline therapy is that
A. germline therapy is the temporary repair of a genetic mutation, whereas somatic cell therapy is a permanent fix. B. germline therapy overcomes a protein malfunction in specific tissues but is not repaired in the entire organism and cannot be passed on to offspring. C. somatic cell gene therapy is introduced into the egg, sperm or developing embryo, whereas germline therapy introduces a new gene into a mature tissue. D. somatic cell gene therapy overcomes a protein malfunction in specific tissues but is not repaired in the entire organism and cannot be passed on to offspring.