Question

A friend tells you that she has just discovered that the protein responsible for causing dogs to chase cats is a member of the MAP protein kinase family. In response to your blank stare, she adds that the yeast protein Fus3p, which is involved in response to a yeast hormone, is also a MAP kinase family member. Although you do not have any idea of what either a MAP kinase or Fus3p is..."

Which of the following could be a reasonable response to your friend's statement?

A. "That's fascinating! Tell me more about how MAP kinases are involved in dog behavior."
B. "I have no idea what MAP kinases or Fus3p are, but it sounds like interesting research."
C. "I think I've heard of MAP kinases before, but I'm not sure how they relate to dogs chasing cats."
D. "Are you sure that MAP kinases have anything to do with dog behavior? It sounds a bit unusual."

Answer 1

While MAP kinases play crucial roles in cellular processes across different organisms, attributing a specific behavior like dogs chasing cats to a single protein such as a MAP kinase is overly simplistic and unlikely, as behaviors are typically the result of complex and multifactorial interactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

A reasonable response to your friend's statement could be, "Are you sure that MAP kinases have anything to do with dog behavior? It sounds a bit unusual."

MAP kinases, or mitogen-activated protein kinases, are a significant part of cellular communication and biological response processes in various organisms. They participate in pathways related to cell division, differentiation, and response to stimuli. Examples include the yeast protein Fus3p that interacts in hormone response pathways and plant MAP kinases that are involved in disease resistance. When it comes to behavior like dogs chasing cats, it's quite a leap to attribute this to a specific protein; behavior is generally multifactorial, involving complex interactions between genetics, neurobiology, and the environment.