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
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.
A substance has a mass of 10 grams. This substance has 45 joules of heat added to it, and the change in temperature is 5 degrees. What is the specific heat of the substance? J/gK
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: 0.9
To determine the specific heat, we use the formula \( c = \frac{Q}{m \Delta T} \), where \( Q \) is the heat added (45 J), \( m \) is the mass (10 g), and \( \Delta T \) is the temperature change (5 °C). Plugging in the values: \( c = \frac{45 \, \text{J}}{10 \, \text{g} \times 5 \, \text{°C}} = 0.9 \, \text{J/g°C} \). Other options may arise from calculation errors, such as misapplying the formula or using incorrect units. For instance, if one mistakenly divides by a different temperature change or mass, it would yield incorrect specific heat values. Thus, 0.9 J/gK accurately reflects the relationship between heat, mass, and temperature change for this substance.
To determine the specific heat, we use the formula \( c = \frac{Q}{m \Delta T} \), where \( Q \) is the heat added (45 J), \( m \) is the mass (10 g), and \( \Delta T \) is the temperature change (5 °C). Plugging in the values: \( c = \frac{45 \, \text{J}}{10 \, \text{g} \times 5 \, \text{°C}} = 0.9 \, \text{J/g°C} \). Other options may arise from calculation errors, such as misapplying the formula or using incorrect units. For instance, if one mistakenly divides by a different temperature change or mass, it would yield incorrect specific heat values. Thus, 0.9 J/gK accurately reflects the relationship between heat, mass, and temperature change for this substance.
A scientist studying solubility increased the temperature of a constant volume of water and measured the amount of sugar that dissolved into solution... Which of the following describes the relationship between the independent and dependent variables?
- A. As the amount of dissolved sugar increased, the temperature of the water decreased.
- B. As the water temperature increased, the amount of dissolved sugar increased.
- C. As the amount of dissolved sugar increased, the amount of water remained constant.
- D. As the water temperature increased, the amount of water decreased.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately describes the relationship between the independent variable (temperature of the water) and the dependent variable (amount of dissolved sugar). As temperature rises, solubility typically increases, allowing more sugar to dissolve. Option A incorrectly suggests an inverse relationship; higher temperatures do not cause the amount of dissolved sugar to decrease. Option C, while true, does not address the relationship between the two variables in question. Option D incorrectly implies that increasing temperature leads to a decrease in water volume, which is not relevant in this context.
Option B accurately describes the relationship between the independent variable (temperature of the water) and the dependent variable (amount of dissolved sugar). As temperature rises, solubility typically increases, allowing more sugar to dissolve. Option A incorrectly suggests an inverse relationship; higher temperatures do not cause the amount of dissolved sugar to decrease. Option C, while true, does not address the relationship between the two variables in question. Option D incorrectly implies that increasing temperature leads to a decrease in water volume, which is not relevant in this context.
What statement describes one or more needed changes to this experiment that would allow the experimenter to draw a valid conclusion?
- A. Salt water should have been used to make the ice cubes for the cup of salt water.
- B. The time for ice cubes to melt should have been measured in minutes.
- C. At the beginning, both cups should have contained the same mass of water at the same temperature.
- D. The energy released should have been measured, not calculated.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C highlights the necessity for both cups to start with the same mass of water at the same temperature to ensure a fair comparison. This control eliminates variables that could skew results, allowing for a valid conclusion about the melting rates of ice cubes in different solutions. Option A is incorrect because using salt water to make ice cubes would not provide relevant data on how the ice behaves in fresh versus salt water. Option B is not a change that affects the experimental validity; measuring time in minutes is appropriate, but the key is ensuring conditions are equal. Option D suggests a measurement method change, but calculating energy based on temperature changes is acceptable in this context.
Option C highlights the necessity for both cups to start with the same mass of water at the same temperature to ensure a fair comparison. This control eliminates variables that could skew results, allowing for a valid conclusion about the melting rates of ice cubes in different solutions. Option A is incorrect because using salt water to make ice cubes would not provide relevant data on how the ice behaves in fresh versus salt water. Option B is not a change that affects the experimental validity; measuring time in minutes is appropriate, but the key is ensuring conditions are equal. Option D suggests a measurement method change, but calculating energy based on temperature changes is acceptable in this context.