Studies in Knockout Mice Have Demonstrated an Important Role of the FOXP2

question 19

Multiple Choice

Studies in knockout mice have demonstrated an important role of the FOXP2 transcription factor in the development of vocalisations. Recent sequence comparisons of the FOXP2 gene in Neanderthals and modern humans show that while the DNA sequence may be different, the protein sequence it codes for is identical. Which of the following conclusions might logically be inferred from this information?

• A) There was a problem with the experiment because different DNA sequences cannot result in the same protein sequence.
• B) The differences in DNA sequence support the hypothesis that Neanderthals were primitive beings that could only grunt.
• C) Human and Neanderthal vocalisations may have been more similar than previously thought.
• D) The experiments in mice demonstrating the function of the FOXP2 gene are not relevant to humans and Neanderthals because they are not primates.

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Definitions:

Compounded Semiannually

Interest that is calculated and added to the principal twice a year, leading to interest on interest.

Present Value

The contemporary value of a future monetary sum or cash flow stream, calculated with a set rate of return.

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The process of adding interest to the principal sum of a deposit or loan every six months, so that each subsequent interest calculation is based on the original principal plus all accumulated interest.

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A series of equal payments made at equal intervals of time, with the first payment occurring at the end of the period.