Question

Lilly is a premedical student in college. She is preparing for a lab on the topic of genetics that she will be conducting the next day in her human biology course. Lilly is confused. She knows each person has a unique genetic code, and that it differs from the genetic codes of other living things. Lilly does not understand how studying bacteria relates to humans. Which best explains how her genetics lab relates to human biology?

a) Bacteria serve as model organisms for studying genetics principles.
b) Human genetic code is identical to bacterial genetic code.
c) Bacteria are used to clone human genes.
d) Lilly's lab doesn't relate to human biology.

Answer 1

Bacteria serve as model organisms in genetics labs, allowing a better understanding of human genetics through their simplicity and the fundamental similarities in genetic material across species.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best explanation for how studying bacteria relates to human biology in Lilly's genetics lab is that bacteria serve as model organisms for studying genetic principles. The simple genetic structure of bacteria makes them excellent subjects for genetic manipulation. Moreover, due to fundamental biochemical and genetic similarities, genes from humans can be inserted into bacteria where they can still function and produce human proteins.

This allows for a deeper understanding of genetic functions and the development of medical applications like antibiotics and gene therapies. Hence, studying bacterial genetics is directly relevant to human biology because it helps us understand and modify our own genetic material for various health-related purposes.