In Drosophila, germ cells develop from pole nuclei isolated from the rest of the embryo at the posterior end. How are they "protected" from the effects of posterior concentrations of zygote-produced mRNAs and proteins?
A)Their genes have unresponsive promoters.
B)The cytoplasm at the pole is separated by a compartmentalizing membrane.
C)The pair-rule, gap, and segmentation genes are not expressed in these cells.
D)Homeotic genes in these cells are inhibited by zygotic genes from the mother.
E)Paternal effects operate on the embryo only in the pole cells.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The pole cells are protected from the effects of posterior concentrations of zygote-produced mRNAs and proteins by being separated from the rest of the embryo by a compartmentalizing membrane. This allows them to develop independently from the rest of the embryo and prevents them from being affected by the concentration gradients that form in the rest of the embryo.

In Drosophila, Germ Cells Develop from Pole Nuclei Isolated from the Rest