Question

The human genome encodes about 24,000 genes. Approximately how many genes does the typical differentiated human cell express at any one time?

1) 24,000–all of them
2) between 21,500 and 24,000–at least 90
3) between 5000 and 15,000
4) less than 2500

Answer 1

Typically, a differentiated human cell expresses between 5,000 and 15,000 genes at any given time, as different genes are expressed in different cell types due to the process of gene expression.

Step-by-step explanation:

The human genome encodes between 20,000 and 25,000 genes, although not all are expressed in every cell. The number of genes expressed at any one time in a typical differentiated human cell varies, but it is not the full amount encoded by the genome. Instead, a differentiated human cell expresses only a subset of these genes, depending upon the cell type and its function. So, out of the given options, the most accurate answer is between 5,000 and 15,000 genes at any one time. This controlled expression is due to the process of gene expression, which allows cells with the same DNA to differentiate into diverse cell types with specific functions.