How did the rice genome project influence other genome projects?

Question

A.  It was the first genome sequenced, so it proved it could be done.
B.  It sped up the genome analysis of other cereal crops, due to synteny.
C.  It sped up the analysis of the human genome, since rice has even more genes.
D.  It helped analysis of all genomes, since it was the basis of the ENCODE algorithms.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?

  Gather Content
· What do you already know about the rice genome?

  Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?

  Choose Answer · Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach 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?

Answer 1

B.  It sped up the genome analysis of other cereal crops, due to synteny.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses the rice genome.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o The rice genome project determined the DNA sequence for rice, Oryza sativa.

  Gather Content
· What do you already know about the rice genome?
        o The rice genome was found to have extensive synteny – similar gene order – as the other cereal crops.
        o This information can be used to put genome fragments in the correct order for the other species.

  Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
        o Was the rice genome the first genome sequenced? No, microbial genomes were the first to be sequenced.
        o Did the rice genome speed up analysis of the human genome, since rice has even more genes? No. Rice does have more genes, but these were too different to be very useful in analysis of the human genome. Furthermore, the human genome was sequenced first.
        o Did the rice genome help analysis of all genomes, since it was the basis of the ENCODE algorithms? No. The ENCODE algorithms were not based on the rice genome.

  Choose Answer · Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Did the rice genome speed up analysis of other cereal crops, due to synteny? Yes. The rice genome has a similar gene order as other cereal crops, so it helps to align fragments of larger genomes like the wheat genome.

  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 how the rice genome project influenced other genome projects.
        o The question required you to analyze the information given, using logic, to dissect the problem and determine the answer.         o Did you remember that the rice genome and the other cereal crops have synteny, or similar order of related genes?
        o Did you realize that this information helps researchers to analyze the data for the other crop plants?