Question

Blood cells and bone cells look and function differently. However, they have the exact same DNA. This is possible because each cell uses a different:

A) Nucleus
B) Chromosome number
C) Gene expression pattern
D) Mitotic phase

Answer 1

Blood cells and bone cells have the same DNA but different functions and appearances due to different gene expression patterns, where each cell type expresses only the genes relevant to its function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fact that blood cells and bone cells have the same DNA but look and function differently is due to each cell type having a different gene expression pattern. This means that while all cells in an organism's body have the same DNA, they do not activate or "read" the same genes. Different cell types express a unique subset of genes that lead to the production of different proteins, which in turn define the cell's structure and function. The process is analogous to actors in a movie all knowing the same script but only performing their individual parts. Thus, the correct answer to how blood cells and bone cells, though containing the same DNA, can look and function so differently is due to option C) Gene expression pattern.