In the vertebrate embryo,
A) cell division and differentiation may be mutually exclusive.
B) arrest of the cell cycle blocks differentiation.
C) transcription factors result in differential gene expression.
D) rapid growth favors differentiation.
E) Both a and c

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both options A and C are correct. In the vertebrate embryo, cell division and differentiation can be mutually exclusive, as some cells stop dividing and start differentiating while others keep dividing. Transcription factors determine which genes are expressed and lead to differential gene expression, resulting in specialized cell types during differentiation. Therefore, both options A and C are correct. Option B is incorrect because arrest of the cell cycle may not necessarily block differentiation; some cells can differentiate even without undergoing cell division. Option D is incorrect because rapid growth does not necessarily favor differentiation, as it may lead to the proliferation of undifferentiated cells.

In the Vertebrate Embryo