Scientists have examined the genetic history of a large group of cheetahs and have found that
there was a significant decrease in the genetic diversity of the cheetah species about 10,000 years
ago. Scientists found that, even in unrelated groups of cheetahs, individual cheetahs had 99% of
the same alleles. By comparison, in a genetically diverse population, even closely related
individuals contain only 80% of the same alleles. Genetic diversity is important to the survival of a
species, and scientists worry that a disease that cheetahs are not resistant to could decimate the
population.
Major histocompatibility complex (MC) genes are used by the body to identify self from non-self
and direct the immune system to attack non-self particles. Invading bacteria and viruses do not
contain the same MHC genes and therefore are attacked by the immune system. Within a
population, a high diversity of MHC genes protects the population from attack by disease. In a
highly diverse population, it is likely that at least some individuals will contain an allele that
identifies a new disease as non-self and can direct the immune system to destroy it.
In 1985, research by Stephen O'Brien reported that skin grafts from cheetahs in a zoo in Oregon
were accepted by cheetahs in Africa. Skin grafts, like other organ donations, must be between
Individuals that have the same MHC factors. If any of the genetic factors are different, then the
immune system of the individual receiving the organ will identify the organ as non-self and the
body will attack the donated organ as if it were a foreign organism such as a virus or bacterium.
The conclusion from
O'Brien's research was that cheetah MHC genes are as alike as those of identical twins.
More recent research by Simone Sommer took a much more comprehensive approach to
examining the genes of a large sample of wild cheetahs. Sommer's research determined how
many alleles are present on two different types of MHC genes in approximately 150 cheetahs.
Sommer was able to show that the variation in some MHC genes was higher than previously
thought. The variation in MHC genes in cheetahs is still smaller than that for other big cat species
but appears to be sufficient to allow the populations to identify a wide variety of foreign particles.
Sommer's research concludes that cheetahs have sufficient genetic diversity to respond to common diseases, but may still be at risk of new diseases. Which statement from the passage supports this conclusion?
- A. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are used by the body to identify self from non-self...
- B. The variation in MHC genes in cheetahs is still smaller than that for other big cat species but appears to be sufficient...
- C. If any of the genetic factors are different, then the immune system of the individual...
- D. Sommer's research determined how many alleles are present on two different types of MHC genes...
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B directly supports Sommer's conclusion by highlighting that the variation in MHC genes among cheetahs, while less than in other big cats, is adequate for their immune response to common diseases. This indicates sufficient genetic diversity for disease management, aligning with the research's findings. Option A discusses the function of MHC genes but does not address their variation in cheetahs, making it less relevant. Option C mentions genetic factors affecting immune response but lacks specific information about cheetah genetic diversity. Option D focuses on the number of alleles without linking it to the implications for disease response, thus failing to support the conclusion effectively.
Option B directly supports Sommer's conclusion by highlighting that the variation in MHC genes among cheetahs, while less than in other big cats, is adequate for their immune response to common diseases. This indicates sufficient genetic diversity for disease management, aligning with the research's findings. Option A discusses the function of MHC genes but does not address their variation in cheetahs, making it less relevant. Option C mentions genetic factors affecting immune response but lacks specific information about cheetah genetic diversity. Option D focuses on the number of alleles without linking it to the implications for disease response, thus failing to support the conclusion effectively.
Other Related Questions
which sentence describes a difference between artificial selection and natural selection?
- A. In natural selection, variation is heritable; in artificial selection, variation is not heritable.
- B. In natural selection, there is differential reproduction; in artificial selection, there is not differential reproduction.
- C. In natural selection, there is variation within the population of organisms; in artificial selection, there is no variation within the population or organisms.
- D. In natural selection, reproductive success is driven by naturally occurring processes; in artificial selection, reproductive success is driven by human-imposed processes.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Natural selection occurs through naturally occurring processes where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary change over time. In contrast, artificial selection involves human intervention, where specific traits are chosen for breeding based on human preferences. Option A is incorrect; both types of selection involve heritable variation. Option B misrepresents artificial selection, which also involves differential reproduction based on selected traits. Option C is inaccurate as artificial selection can still involve variation within the chosen traits. Thus, option D accurately highlights the fundamental distinction between the two processes.
Natural selection occurs through naturally occurring processes where organisms with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, leading to evolutionary change over time. In contrast, artificial selection involves human intervention, where specific traits are chosen for breeding based on human preferences. Option A is incorrect; both types of selection involve heritable variation. Option B misrepresents artificial selection, which also involves differential reproduction based on selected traits. Option C is inaccurate as artificial selection can still involve variation within the chosen traits. Thus, option D accurately highlights the fundamental distinction between the two processes.
Scientists can indirectly observe temperatures and insolation (the Intensity or direct solar radiation) in the distant past by measuring oxygen isotope ratios in ice cores collected from polar ice. The graph presents data for the period from what ta200.000 years ago. What time period in the graph shows the greatest correlation between Milankovitch cycles and climate?
- A. 140,000-160,000 years ago
- B. 120,000-140,000 years ago
- C. 100,000-120,000 years ago
- D. 160,000-180,000 years ago
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The time period from 100,000 to 120,000 years ago exhibits the greatest correlation between Milankovitch cycles and climate, as evidenced by significant fluctuations in temperature and insolation reflected in the oxygen isotope ratios. This interval aligns closely with the timing of glacial and interglacial periods influenced by Earth's orbital changes. Options A and B show notable climate changes, but they do not align as strongly with Milankovitch cycles, indicating less correlation. Option D, while part of the broader glacial cycle, reveals less pronounced temperature shifts, making it less relevant to the question of correlation.
The time period from 100,000 to 120,000 years ago exhibits the greatest correlation between Milankovitch cycles and climate, as evidenced by significant fluctuations in temperature and insolation reflected in the oxygen isotope ratios. This interval aligns closely with the timing of glacial and interglacial periods influenced by Earth's orbital changes. Options A and B show notable climate changes, but they do not align as strongly with Milankovitch cycles, indicating less correlation. Option D, while part of the broader glacial cycle, reveals less pronounced temperature shifts, making it less relevant to the question of correlation.
Which instruction would be most appropriate for step 2 of the procedure?
- A. Provide both group A and group B participants with a daily magnesium supplement.
- B. Provide group A participants with a daily magnesium supplement and provide group B participants with a daily supplement that contains only inactive ingredients.
- C. Provide group A participants with a high-magnesium supplement and group B participants with a low-magnesium supplement...
- D. Provide both group A and group B participants with guidelines about which foods they should consume.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B is the most appropriate instruction for step 2 as it establishes a clear experimental control. By giving group A a magnesium supplement and group B an inactive placebo, it allows for a direct comparison of the effects of magnesium on the participants. Option A is incorrect because it does not create a control group; both groups would receive magnesium, making it impossible to determine its specific effects. Option C is flawed as it introduces an additional variable by varying the magnesium levels between groups, complicating the results. Option D fails to provide a direct intervention, which is essential for assessing the impact of magnesium supplementation.
Option B is the most appropriate instruction for step 2 as it establishes a clear experimental control. By giving group A a magnesium supplement and group B an inactive placebo, it allows for a direct comparison of the effects of magnesium on the participants. Option A is incorrect because it does not create a control group; both groups would receive magnesium, making it impossible to determine its specific effects. Option C is flawed as it introduces an additional variable by varying the magnesium levels between groups, complicating the results. Option D fails to provide a direct intervention, which is essential for assessing the impact of magnesium supplementation.
Which hypothesis was Dilger testing in his experiment?
- A. If hybrid offspring have a mixture of behaviors, then the species are within the same genus.
- B. If a hybrid offspring carries nesting material in its beak, then it is more closely related to modern lovebirds.
- C. If behavior in lovebirds is genetic, then a hybrid offspring will display a mixture of behaviors.
- D. If lovebird species can interbreed, then a hybrid offspring will have a mixture of behaviors.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Dilger aimed to investigate the genetic basis of behavior in lovebirds, specifically focusing on whether hybrid offspring exhibit a blend of behaviors from their parent species. Option C accurately reflects this hypothesis, linking genetic inheritance to behavioral traits in hybrids. Option A incorrectly connects hybrid behavior to taxonomic classification, which is not the primary focus of Dilger’s study. Option B suggests a direct relationship between nesting material behavior and modern lovebirds, overlooking the broader genetic implications. Option D, while related to interbreeding, does not emphasize the genetic aspect of behavior, which is central to Dilger's hypothesis.
Dilger aimed to investigate the genetic basis of behavior in lovebirds, specifically focusing on whether hybrid offspring exhibit a blend of behaviors from their parent species. Option C accurately reflects this hypothesis, linking genetic inheritance to behavioral traits in hybrids. Option A incorrectly connects hybrid behavior to taxonomic classification, which is not the primary focus of Dilger’s study. Option B suggests a direct relationship between nesting material behavior and modern lovebirds, overlooking the broader genetic implications. Option D, while related to interbreeding, does not emphasize the genetic aspect of behavior, which is central to Dilger's hypothesis.