Question

If cell communication arose as a solution to the demands of multicellularity, how then would you account for the very similar mechanisms of signaling that are used in animals and in the unicellular fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae?

1) Cell communication in animals evolved from that in a unicellular fungus.
2) Signaling evolved in a common unicellular ancestor of animals and fungi.
3) Fungi separated from the animal lineage after multicellularity evolved.
4) The signaling components in animals and fungi evolved independently.

Answer 1

The signaling components in animals and fungi evolved independently is very similar of signaling that are used in animals and in the unicellular fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hence, correct option is 4).

Step-by-step explanation:

The similar mechanisms of signaling in animals and the unicellular fungus Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggest convergent evolution rather than a shared evolutionary origin. Option 4 posits that the signaling components in animals and fungi evolved independently. This concept aligns with the idea that the demands of multicellularity drove the evolution of cell communication mechanisms in diverse lineages, resulting in similar solutions to address the challenges posed by multicellular organization.

While multicellularity demands effective cell communication, the specific mechanisms for signaling may have arisen independently in different evolutionary lineages. In the case of animals and fungi like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the convergence of signaling pathways indicates that these organisms evolved similar strategies to coordinate cellular activities within multicellular structures.

Thus, the independence of the evolution of signaling components in animals and fungi underscores the adaptability of life to common challenges posed by multicellularity, leading to the development of analogous solutions through separate evolutionary processes.