Scientists have been able to engineer young laboratory mice to have a defective gene for a particular integrin protein only in epidermal skin cells.These mice develop into adults with severe hair loss and skin blistering.Which statement explains the connection between the mutation and the observed physical problems of the mice?
A) A membrane protein receptor is absent, causing loss of cell signaling.
B) The mice cannot produce any extracellular matrix proteins.
C) Cell-cell communication is lost because of a lost cell junction.
D) Epidermal cells cannot express their genes properly.
E) Epidermal cells cannot connect to the extracellular matrix.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Integrins are proteins that mediate the attachment of cells to the extracellular matrix. A defective gene for an integrin protein in epidermal cells would impair the ability of these cells to adhere properly to the extracellular matrix, leading to skin blistering and potentially affecting hair follicle stability, resulting in hair loss.

Scientists Have Been Able to Engineer Young Laboratory Mice to Have