Researchers investigated whether time of day affects the rate at which certain mRNAs produced by plantsare broken down. At either 1 hour after the start of the light period (morning) or 8 hours after the start of thelight period (afternoon), the researchers treated identical plant seedlings with a compound that blockstranscription (time = 0 min). The researchers measured the percent remaining of two mRNAs, mRNA Gand mRNA H, over the course of 120 minutes. The data are shown in Figure 1. Which of the following observations would provide the strongest evidence that two plants belong todifferent biological species? a.the leaves and flowers show morphological differences. b. There are variations in their RNA sequences. c.They produce viable but sterile offspring. d.They occupy unique habitats in an ecosystem. ### Degradation of mRNA G and mRNA H Post Light Exposure**Figure 1**. Degradation of **mRNA G** and **mRNA H** over time after exposure to light for 1 hour (morning) or 8 hours (afternoon).#### Graph ExplanationThis graph illustrates the degradation rate of **mRNA G** and **mRNA H** over a period of 120 minutes subsequent to light exposure under two different conditions: 1 hour in the morning and 8 hours in the afternoon. - **X-Axis (Time)** - The horizontal axis (x-axis) represents the time in minutes, ranging from 0 to 120.- **Y-Axis (Relative Percent of mRNA Remaining)** - The vertical axis (y-axis) denotes the relative percentage of mRNA remaining, starting from 0% and reaching up to 100%.- **Legend** - The triangle symbols (Δ) represent **mRNA G** exposed to light in the morning. - The filled triangle symbols (▲) signify **mRNA G** exposed to light in the afternoon. - The circle symbols (○) depict **mRNA H** exposed to light in the morning. - The filled circle symbols (●) illustrate **mRNA H** exposed to light in the afternoon.#### Key Observations1. **Rate of Degradation for mRNA G** - **Morning**: The degradation of **mRNA G** (Δ) starts at nearly 100% and gradually decreases to about 45% after 120 minutes. - **Afternoon**: The degradation of **mRNA G** (▲) shows a steeper decline, ending at roughly 20% after 120 minutes.2. **Rate of Degradation for mRNA H** - **Morning**: The degradation of **mRNA H** (○) starts just below 100% and decreases more gradually, sustaining around 50% after 120 minutes. - **Afternoon**: **mRNA H** (●) also experiences a sharper decline in the afternoon, ending at approximately 25% after 120 minutes.#### SummaryOverall, this graph elucidates the distinct patterns of mRNA degradation for **mRNA G** and **mRNA H** under varying light exposure conditions. Notably, mRNA exposed in the afternoon tends to degrade more rapidly compared to those

Name: Researchers investigated whether time of day affects the rate at which
Uploaded: 2024-03-20T06:42:41.000Z
Channel: Bartleby
Description: Researchers investigated whether time of day affects the rate at which certain mRNAs produced by plantsare broken down. At either 1 hour after the start of the light period (morning) or 8 hours after the start of thelight period (afternoon), the rese