Question

You wish to explore how mutations in specific genes affecting sugar metabolism might alter tooth development. Which organism is likely to provide the best model system for your studies, and why?

(a) horses
(b) mice
(c) E. coli
(d) Arabidopsis

Answer 1

Mice (Mus musculus) would be the best model organism to study how mutations in genes affect sugar metabolism and tooth development, due to their physiological and genetic similarities to humans, including complex dental structures. The correct option is (b) mice

Step-by-step explanation:

To explore how mutations in specific genes affecting sugar metabolism might alter tooth development, the best model organism would most likely be mice (Mus musculus). This choice is because mice have genetic, biological, and physiological similarities with humans, including aspects related to tooth development and metabolism.

Moreover, mice are mammals, and as such, they share more complex dental structures that are more comparable to that of humans as opposed to Arabidopsis thaliana (a plant), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), or E. coli (a bacterium), which have vastly different metabolic and physiological systems.

Furthermore, E. coli does not have teeth, making it an unsuitable model for studying tooth development. While Arabidopsis has been a model for studying genetics and development, its lack of teeth disqualifies it for this particular study. Therefore, mice provide a relevant model system to understand the genetic basis of tooth development in response to changes in sugar metabolism.The correct option is (b) mice