A Species of Algae Consists of Aggregates of Cells That

question 94

Multiple Choice

A species of algae consists of aggregates of cells that have different functions.Researchers suspect that the outer, motile cells of this species produce a chemical signal that travels to the inner reproductive cells, causing them to lose their flagella and divide.Which experimental approach would best provide evidence in support of a chemical signaling agent acting to cause the observed change in cells?

• A) Examine mutants that cannot progress to the reproductive phase for their ability to use flagella to move through their environment.
• B) Insert genes from this species into a non-aggregating species to see if the non-aggregating species can acquire the ability to aggregate and specialize.
• C) Add molecules secreted by normal algae to the medium containing mutant algal cells that cannot progress to the reproductive phase, and incubate them to see if reproduction can be induced.
• D) Test various environmental cues, such as variations in lighting and temperature, to determine which cues, if any, trigger inner cells to lose their flagella and divide.
• E) Break apart aggregates of cells, and then test to see whether the cells can reassemble on their own and work cooperatively in their specialized roles.

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