Mutations in the DFNA20/26 Locus,which Codes for the Actin Gamma

question 33

Multiple Choice

Mutations in the DFNA20/26 locus,which codes for the actin gamma 1 protein,are associated with congenital deafness.An irate senator complains that government money is being wasted on studies of this mutant gene -- in yeast! "I am no biologist," says the senator,"but I am pretty sure yeast don't have ears." How do you respond?

• A)"You are right,Senator -- yeast do not have ears.We should revoke the funding immediately."
• B)"We can learn valuable information about the structure of the mutant protein by expressing it in yeast.It is difficult to collect large amounts of actin from tiny hair cells,and unethical to collect it from human patients."
• C)"We can learn valuable information about the transcription of the mutant gene in yeast.It is much more difficult to study transcription in human cells."
• D)"We can learn valuable information about sound transmission through the mutant yeast.By placing a speaker against a yeast vial and recording sound from the other side,we can infer how the mutant actin affects sound waves."

---

Definitions:

Labor Migration

the movement of people from one area to another for the purpose of employment.

Implicit Cost

The opportunity cost associated with a firm's use of resources that it owns, measured by the income the firm foregoes by utilizing these resources in-house rather than engaging them elsewhere for profit.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another with the intentions of settling, permanently or temporarily, at a new location.

Implicit Cost

Implicit cost refers to the opportunity cost associated with a company's use of resources that it already owns, without direct payment, reflecting the potential income lost in choosing one alternative over another.