A cell in the epithelium lining the human gut is very different in structure and function from, for example, a white blood cell. How would you describe the genetic basis for this difference?
A)These different cell types express different sets of genes, although their genomes are identical.
B)These different cell types contain different sets of genes as a result of modifications during development.
C)Genes are gradually lost as these cell types differentiate into specialized tissues.
D)The genes evolve as the body develops the specialized tissues needed for full development.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both epithelial cells and white blood cells contain the same set of genes, but their expression patterns are different. Different cell types selectively activate or repress certain genes, leading to different protein products and ultimately different cell functions.

A Cell in the Epithelium Lining the Human Gut Is