You Are Investigating the Function of a Pheromone Receptor Found

question 10

Multiple Choice

You are investigating the function of a pheromone receptor found in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mice.You hypothesize that when pheromones produced by a female mouse bind to the VNO receptors of a male mouse, the binding stimulates mating behavior.You test your hypothesis by doing a knockout experiment, silencing a gene needed for the VNO receptor to work.When you expose the knockout male mouse to a female mouse, the knockout mouse mates with the female.When you expose the same knockout male mouse to a male mouse, the knockout mouse tries to mate with the male.When you test a normal male mouse under the same situations, the male mates with the female, but reacts aggressively toward the male.What conclusion can you draw from these results?

• A) There is a single gene that controls mating behavior in male mice.
• B) The VNO receptors are necessary for gender identification.
• C) The VNO receptors are necessary for mating behavior.
• D) The VNO receptors are necessary for sexual attraction.
• E) Male mice cannot distinguish between male and female mice.

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Definitions:

Social Cost

The total cost to society, including both private costs borne by producers and external costs borne by others outside the production process.

Carbon Fee

A charge imposed on the carbon content of fossil fuels, aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Coase Theorem

An economic theory proposing that if trade in an externality is possible and there are no transaction costs, parties can negotiate solutions to conflicts that lead to an efficient outcome regardless of the initial allocation of property rights.

Pollution Tax

A tax levied on the amount of pollution emitted by firms to incentivize reduction in environmental harm.