Textbook Question
Why is it ecologically significant that animals are heterotrophic and multicellular?
Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals
Freeman8th EditionBiological ScienceISBN: 9780138276263
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - Biology: The Study of Life13
- Ch. 2 - Water and Carbon: The Chemical Basis of Life14
- Ch.3 - Protein Structure and Function10
- Ch.4 - Nucleic Acids and the RNA World10
- Ch. 5 - An Introduction to Carbohydrates10
- Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells11
- Ch. 7 - Inside the Cell10
- Ch. 8 - Energy and Enzymes: An Introduction to Metabolism10
- Ch. 9 - Cellular Respiration and Fermentation11
- Ch. 10 - Photosynthesis12
- Ch. 11 - Cell-Cell Interactions12
- Ch. 12 - The Cell Cycle8
- Ch. 13 - Meiosis12
- Ch. 14 - Mendel and the Gene23
- Ch. 15 - DNA and the Gene: Synthesis and Repair15
- Ch. 16 - How Genes Work16
- Ch. 17 - Transcription, RNA Processing, and Translation16
- Ch. 18 - Control of Gene Expression in Bacteria16
- Ch. 19 - Control of Gene Expression in Eukaryotes12
- Ch. 20 - The Molecular Revolution: Biotechnology, Genomics, and New Frontiers15
- Ch. 21 - Genes, Development, and Evolution12
- Ch. 22 - Evolution by Natural Selection16
- Ch. 23 - Evolutionary Processes13
- Ch. 24 - Speciation15
- Ch. 25 - Phylogenies and the History of Life13
- Ch. 26 - Bacteria and Archaea15
- Ch. 27 - Diversification of Eukaryotes16
- Ch. 28 - Green Algae and Land Plants16
- Ch. 29 - Fungi18
- Ch. 30 - An Introduction to Animals9
- Ch. 31 - Protostome Animals15
- Ch. 32 - Deuterostome Animals17
- Ch. 33 - Viruses16
- Ch. 34 - Plant Form and Function16
- Ch. 35 - Water and Sugar Transport in Plants16
- Ch. 36 - Plant Nutrition13
- Ch. 37 - Plant Sensory Systems, Signals, and Responses16
- Ch. 38 - Flowering Plant Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 39 - Animal Form and Function17
- Ch. 40 - Water and Electrolyte Balance in Animals16
- Ch. 41 - Animal Nutrition16
- Ch. 42 - Gas Exchange and Circulation16
- Ch. 43 - Animal Nervous Systems16
- Ch. 44 - Animal Sensory Systems16
- Ch. 45 - Animal Movement11
- Ch. 46 - Chemical Signals in Animals16
- Ch. 47 - Animal Reproduction and Development16
- Ch. 48 - The Immune System in Animals16
- Ch. 49 - An Introduction to Ecology15
- Ch. 50 - Behavioral Ecology16
- Ch. 51 - Population Ecology16
- Ch. 52 - Community Ecology20
- Ch. 53 - Ecosystems and Global Ecology17
- Ch. 54 - Biodiversity and Conservation Ecology18
Chapter 30, Problem 9
Suppose that a gene originally identified in nematodes (roundworms) is found to be homologous with a gene that can cause developmental abnormalities in humans. Would it be possible to use fruit flies as a model organism to study this gene? Explain.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of homologous genes: Homologous genes are genes that share a common ancestry and often have similar sequences and functions across different species. This means that studying a homologous gene in one organism can provide insights into its function in another organism.
Recognize the importance of model organisms: Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are widely used as model organisms in biological research due to their genetic similarity to humans, short life cycle, ease of genetic manipulation, and well-characterized genome.
Consider the evolutionary conservation of genes: If the gene in question is homologous between nematodes and humans, it is likely conserved across other species, including fruit flies. This conservation suggests that fruit flies may possess a similar version of the gene, making them suitable for study.
Evaluate the experimental advantages of fruit flies: Fruit flies allow researchers to perform genetic experiments, such as gene knockouts, overexpression studies, and mutational analyses, to investigate the gene's role in development and its potential link to abnormalities.
Conclude the feasibility of using fruit flies: Based on the evolutionary conservation of homologous genes and the experimental tools available for fruit flies, it would be possible and scientifically valuable to use fruit flies as a model organism to study the gene and its effects on development.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Homologous Genes
Homologous genes are genes that share a common ancestry, meaning they have evolved from a common ancestral gene. This similarity can be observed in their DNA sequences and functions across different species. Studying homologous genes allows researchers to understand evolutionary relationships and the conservation of biological functions, which is crucial when investigating gene functions in model organisms.
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Model Organisms
Model organisms are non-human species that are extensively studied to understand biological processes, genetics, and disease mechanisms. Common examples include fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), mice, and zebrafish. These organisms are chosen for their genetic tractability, short life cycles, and the ability to produce large numbers of offspring, making them ideal for experimental research and insights applicable to other species, including humans.
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Developmental Biology
Developmental biology is the study of the processes by which organisms grow and develop, focusing on the genetic, cellular, and molecular mechanisms that guide these processes. Understanding developmental biology is essential when investigating genes that cause abnormalities, as it provides insights into how specific genes influence development and how disruptions can lead to malformations or diseases in organisms, including humans.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
To estimate the relative abundance of the major phyla, calculate how many named species of arthropods, mollusks, and nematode worms exist per named species of chordate (the phylum containing vertebrates, including humans; see Table 30.1).
Do you think these calculations are likely to be underestimates or overestimates? Why?
Textbook Question
Evaluate this statement: Animals evolved from simple to complex.
Textbook Question
The vast majority of animals that ever existed are now extinct, but Tereza Jezkova and John Wiens wondered which variables were most important in driving the diversification of species that exist today.
Why are there so many species in some phyla, such as Cnidaria (see photo), but so few in others, such as Ctenophora?
Draw a horizontal axis to represent the number of species within phyla using a logarithmic scale (1, 10, 100, 1000 species, etc.). Then use Table 30.1 to map seven representative phyla from small to large at intervals of about an order of magnitude on this scale.