What Makes the Cells of a Developing Embryo Differentiate into Various

question 94

Multiple Choice

What makes the cells of a developing embryo differentiate into various types of cells?

• A) Special genes in the cytoplasm cause this differentiation.
• B) They have different genes.
• C) Different genes are activated.
• D) Once certain genes of a cell have caused it to differentiate, the other genes are lost.
• E) The DNA of their mitochondria is different.

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Definitions:

Fetal Period

The period in prenatal development from nine weeks after conception until birth, when the brain continues developing, bodily structures are refined, and the fetus grows in length and weight and accumulates fat in preparation for birth.

Germinal Period

The initial two weeks of prenatal development following conception, characterized by rapid cell division and attachment to the uterine wall.

Embryonic Period

The stage of prenatal development from approximately the second to the eighth week after fertilization, during which major organs and structures within the embryo begin to develop.

Lungs

The pair of respiratory organs in the chest of humans and many animals, responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.