Activator molecules that are present in cells can turn genes on - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 14
Activator molecules that are present in cells can turn genes on.
Only liver cells produce the protein albumin and only lens cells produce the protein crystallin.
The... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Activator molecules that are present in cells can turn genes on - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 14 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. lens cells containing activator molecules for the gene coding for crystallin.
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Answer
Lens cells specifically express the gene for crystallin due to the presence of activator molecules that turn this gene on, allowing them to produce the protein. This supports the notion that certain proteins are produced in particular cell types based on the presence or absence of specific activators.
Step 2
B. the presence of RNA polymerase in lens cells but not in liver cells.
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Answer
While RNA polymerase is essential for transcription, the key detail is that lens cells have activator molecules that promote the crystallin gene expression, not just the presence of RNA polymerase.
Step 3
C. liver cells not having the gene that codes for crystallin.
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This statement could be partially true; however, the primary reason for the difference in protein production is tied to the presence of activators in lens cells, rather than an outright absence of the gene in liver cells.
Step 4
D. both cells containing identical activator molecules.
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This is incorrect as the lens and liver cells have distinct functions and require different activator molecules to express their respective proteins. Lens cells specifically require unique activators for crystallin production.
