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.
Why is the conclusion about gene variation among cheetahs from Sommer's research more valid than the conclusion from O'Brien's research?
- A. Sommer's research was conducted more recently than O'Brien's
- B. Sommer's research used a different population of cheetahs than O'Brien's
- C. Sommer's conclusion is about disease response, while O'Brien's is about skin grafts.
- D. Sommer's conclusion is based on examining the genes, while O'Brien's conclusion is based on acceptance of a skin graft.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Sommer's conclusion is more valid as it directly examines gene variation, providing a clearer understanding of genetic factors influencing traits. This direct analysis allows for more reliable insights into gene functionality. In contrast, O'Brien's research focuses on skin graft acceptance, which, while informative, does not provide the same depth of genetic examination. Option A is incorrect as recency does not inherently validate research findings. Option B is misleading; differing populations may affect findings but do not necessarily validate one conclusion over another. Option C misrepresents the focus of the studies; both are relevant but differ in application rather than validity.
Sommer's conclusion is more valid as it directly examines gene variation, providing a clearer understanding of genetic factors influencing traits. This direct analysis allows for more reliable insights into gene functionality. In contrast, O'Brien's research focuses on skin graft acceptance, which, while informative, does not provide the same depth of genetic examination. Option A is incorrect as recency does not inherently validate research findings. Option B is misleading; differing populations may affect findings but do not necessarily validate one conclusion over another. Option C misrepresents the focus of the studies; both are relevant but differ in application rather than validity.
Other Related Questions
Scientists have estimated the mass of the object that caused the Tunguska Event at 5 x 10^12 kilograms (kg). If the object was a comet in which 1% of total mass was ammonia, how much ammonia did the comet contain? kg
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 5x10^10
To find the mass of ammonia in the comet, we calculate 1% of the total mass (5 x 10^12 kg). This is done by multiplying the total mass by 0.01: 5 x 10^12 kg × 0.01 = 5 x 10^10 kg. This calculation confirms that the comet contained 5 x 10^10 kg of ammonia. Other options may result from incorrect calculations, such as misunderstanding the percentage or misapplying the multiplication. For instance, using 0.1 instead of 0.01 would yield an answer ten times larger, while failing to convert the percentage to a decimal would also lead to an incorrect figure.
To find the mass of ammonia in the comet, we calculate 1% of the total mass (5 x 10^12 kg). This is done by multiplying the total mass by 0.01: 5 x 10^12 kg × 0.01 = 5 x 10^10 kg. This calculation confirms that the comet contained 5 x 10^10 kg of ammonia. Other options may result from incorrect calculations, such as misunderstanding the percentage or misapplying the multiplication. For instance, using 0.1 instead of 0.01 would yield an answer ten times larger, while failing to convert the percentage to a decimal would also lead to an incorrect figure.
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.
What natural process is required to connect the ice core data to the Tunguska Event?
- A. the cycling of carbon in forest fires
- B. the interaction of comets with the solar wind
- C. the movement of glaciers due to gravity
- D. the constant mixing of the atmosphere
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Connecting ice core data to the Tunguska Event necessitates understanding atmospheric dynamics, which is achieved through the constant mixing of the atmosphere. This mixing disperses particles and gases, allowing researchers to correlate ice core samples with historical events, including the Tunguska explosion. Option A, the cycling of carbon in forest fires, is unrelated to the atmospheric conditions or the specific data derived from ice cores. Option B, the interaction of comets with the solar wind, pertains to space phenomena rather than terrestrial atmospheric processes. Option C, the movement of glaciers due to gravity, describes glacial dynamics but does not address the atmospheric mixing needed to link ice core data to the event.
Connecting ice core data to the Tunguska Event necessitates understanding atmospheric dynamics, which is achieved through the constant mixing of the atmosphere. This mixing disperses particles and gases, allowing researchers to correlate ice core samples with historical events, including the Tunguska explosion. Option A, the cycling of carbon in forest fires, is unrelated to the atmospheric conditions or the specific data derived from ice cores. Option B, the interaction of comets with the solar wind, pertains to space phenomena rather than terrestrial atmospheric processes. Option C, the movement of glaciers due to gravity, describes glacial dynamics but does not address the atmospheric mixing needed to link ice core data to the event.
best explains the ammonia deposits found in ice core samples from the time of the Tunguska Event. The evidence that best supports the validity of this hypothesis is the-
- A. Hypothesis 2
- B. heat produced by fast-moving objects in the atmosphere
- C. Hypothesis 1
- D. match between measured and predicted amounts of ammonia
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A,D
The ammonia deposits found in ice core samples from the time of the Tunguska Event suggest a significant environmental impact. Hypothesis 2 (Option A) likely proposes a link between the event and the ammonia presence, making it relevant for explaining the deposits. Option B, which discusses heat from fast-moving objects, does not directly address ammonia production or accumulation. Hypothesis 1 (Option C) may not provide sufficient evidence or detail to support the ammonia findings. Option D highlights the alignment between measured and predicted ammonia levels, reinforcing the validity of Hypothesis 2 as it connects empirical data with theoretical expectations.
The ammonia deposits found in ice core samples from the time of the Tunguska Event suggest a significant environmental impact. Hypothesis 2 (Option A) likely proposes a link between the event and the ammonia presence, making it relevant for explaining the deposits. Option B, which discusses heat from fast-moving objects, does not directly address ammonia production or accumulation. Hypothesis 1 (Option C) may not provide sufficient evidence or detail to support the ammonia findings. Option D highlights the alignment between measured and predicted ammonia levels, reinforcing the validity of Hypothesis 2 as it connects empirical data with theoretical expectations.