A neuron and a white blood cell have very different functions. For example, a neuron can receive and respond to electrical signals while a white blood cell defends the body against infection. This is because ______
(a) the proteins found in a neuron are completely different from the proteins found in a white blood cell.
(b) the neuron and the white blood cell within an individual have the same genome.
(c) the neuron expresses some mRNAs that the white blood cell does not.
(d) neurons and white blood cells are differentiated cells and thus no longer need to transcribe and translate genes.
Choice (c) is correct. There are proteins common to all cells in multicellular organisms [choice (a)]. Although it is true that the neuron and white blood cell within an individual have the same genome, this does not explain why these two cells have different functions [choice (b)]. Differentiated cells still need to transcribe and translate genes [choice (d)].
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