Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

20. Development

Animal Development

General Biology

20. Development

Animal Development

Previous problemNext problem

1:40 minutes

Problem 8

Textbook Question

You obtain an egg cell from the ovary of a white mouse and remove the nucleus from it. You then obtain a nucleus from a liver cell from an adult black mouse. You use the methods of nuclear transplantation to insert the nucleus into the empty egg. After some prompting, the new zygote divides into an early embryo, which you then implant into the uterus of a brown mouse. A few weeks later, a baby mouse is born. What color will it be? Why?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of nuclear transplantation: In this process, the nucleus of one cell is removed and replaced with the nucleus of another cell. The genetic material (DNA) in the nucleus determines the traits of the organism.

Identify the source of the nucleus: The nucleus used in this case comes from a liver cell of an adult black mouse. This nucleus contains the complete genetic information (genome) of the black mouse.

Recognize the role of the egg cell: The egg cell from the white mouse has had its nucleus removed, meaning it no longer contains its own genetic material. It only provides the cytoplasm and cellular machinery necessary for development.

Understand the role of the surrogate mother: The brown mouse serves as the host for the embryo, providing the environment for the embryo to develop, but it does not contribute any genetic material to the offspring.

Conclude the offspring's traits: Since the genetic material in the nucleus determines the traits of the organism, and the nucleus came from the black mouse, the baby mouse will have the genetic traits of the black mouse, including its black fur color.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Nuclear Transplantation

Nuclear transplantation is a technique where the nucleus of a donor cell is transferred into an enucleated egg cell. This process allows the egg to develop into an embryo using the genetic material from the donor nucleus. In this scenario, the nucleus from a liver cell of a black mouse is inserted into the egg cell of a white mouse, which is crucial for understanding the genetic outcome of the resulting organism.

Genetic Expression and Phenotype

The phenotype of an organism, such as its color, is determined by the expression of genes inherited from its parents. In this case, the baby mouse will express the traits associated with the black mouse's liver cell nucleus, as the genetic information from the nucleus dictates the development of the organism. Thus, the color of the baby mouse will reflect the genetic traits of the black mouse.

Mitochondrial DNA and Maternal Influence

While the nucleus contains the majority of genetic information, the egg cell also contributes mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited maternally. However, in this scenario, the phenotype is primarily influenced by the nuclear DNA from the black mouse. The maternal influence from the white mouse's egg is less significant in determining the color of the offspring, as the dominant traits from the black mouse's nucleus will prevail.

Watch next

Master Fertilization with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

What structural adaptation in chickens allows them to lay their eggs in arid environments rather than in water?

a. Extraembryonic membranes

b. Yolk

c. Cleavage

d. Gastrulation

818

views

Textbook Question

If an egg cell were treated with EDTA, a chemical that binds calcium and magnesium ions,

a. The acrosomal reaction would be blocked.

b. The fusion of sperm and egg nuclei would be blocked.

c. The fast block to polyspermy would not occur.

d. The fertilization envelope would not form.

1265

views

Textbook Question

In humans, identical twins are possible because

a. Extraembryonic cells interact with the zygote nucleus.

b. Convergent extension occurs.

c. Early blastomeres can form a complete embryo if isolated.

d. The gray crescent divides the dorsal-ventral axis into new cells.

1303

views

Textbook Question

Cells transplanted from the neural tube of a frog embryo to the ventral part of another embryo develop into nervous system tissues. This result indicates that the transplanted cells were

a. Totipotent.

b. Determined.

c. Differentiated.

d. Mesenchymal.

1245

views

Textbook Question

In an experiment, a researcher colored a bit of tissue on the outside of a frog gastrula with an orange fluorescent dye. The embryo developed normally. When the tadpole was placed under an ultraviolet light, which of the following glowed bright orange? (Explain your answer.)

a. The heart

b. The pancreas

c. The brain

d. The stomach

771

views

Textbook Question

In an embryo, nerve cells grow out from the spinal cord and form connections with the muscles they will eventually control. What mechanisms described in this chapter might explain how these cells 'know' where to go and which cells to connect with?

975

views

Textbook Question

As a frog embryo develops, the neural tube forms from ectoderm along what will be the frog's back, directly above the notochord. To study this process, a researcher extracted a bit of notochord tissue and inserted it under the ectoderm where the frog's belly would normally develop. What can the researcher hope to learn from this experiment? Predict the possible outcomes. What experimental control would you suggest?

1283

views

Textbook Question

Should parents undergoing in vitro fertilization have the right to choose which embryos to implant based on genetic criteria, such as the presence or absence of disease-causing genes? Should they be able to choose based on the sex of the embryo? How could you distinguish acceptable from unacceptable criteria? Do you think such options should be legislated?

901

views

Show more practices

Download the Mobile app

Privacy

Do not sell my personal information

Accessibility

Patent notice

Sitemap