Specialization of cells in multicellular organisms is usually due to different patterns of gene expression rather than to differences of the gene themselves?
2006-11-19 11:35:52 · 1 answers · asked by bigjerry213 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Most of the cells in your body are identical in terms of genetic content (DNA/chromosomes).
The huge variety of cells is due to the fact that as we develop from a fertilized egg into an embryo and beyond, there are different signals passed around constantly that direct cells to divide and grow in certain ways such that a human being is the end result. Throughout life, these "molecular instructions" are maintained so that our cells stay the proper type. (Sometimes, improper maintenance of these directions can lead to cancer.)
Expression of genes (that is, transcription from DNA to mRNA, and then translation to protein) will of course dictate how the process goes. Different proteins exist in each different cell type due to variable expression.
2006-11-19 15:58:02 · answer #1 · answered by indigojerk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋