Question

Based on the data provided in Figures 1 and 2, identify the cell genotype(s) that serve(s) as the experimental group(s). Justify the researchers' measurement of labelled production in addition to the activity of a Krebs cycle enzyme in the experiment with data shown in Figure 3. Based on Figure 3, describe the difference between the effect of overexpression on the production of lactic acid and the effect of overexpression on the production of as compared with the control cells. Based on the data in Figure 2, calculate how many times more frataxin is produced on average in cell genotype as compared with the amount produced in cell genotype .

Answer 1

Based on the data provided in Figures 1 and 2, the cells with the transfected construct are the experimental group, since they are the ones that were transfected with the plasmid containing the frataxin gene. The researchers measured labeled protein production in addition to the activity of a Krebs cycle enzyme to confirm that the gene was being expressed and that it was functional. Based on Figure 3, cells that overexpressed frataxin produced less lactic acid than cells that did not overexpress frataxin, but they produced more as compared to the control cells.