Chapter 23, Problem 1LTB

Why can two cells with the same DNA have different structures and functions?

Summary Introduction

To write:

Two cells have the same DNA and the reason of different structures and functions.

Introduction:

All the cells carry the same gene; for example, multicellular organisms, grow from a cell called fertilized egg into specialized cells that execute different functions with the regulation of DNA. The DNA which is expressed into protein and determines any characteristic of the organism is known as gene. The mechanism by which information of gene is translated to form/ structure is known as gene expression.

Explanation of Solution

DNA is tightly packed into chromosomes and into region codes for different functions and structures of a cell. Two cells with the same DNA have different structures and functions because they have different gene expressions which means the message from DNA is copied and translated into proteins. These proteins help in different functions and form the structure of the cell.

Conclusion

The cell has the same DNA but different structures and functions because the gene gets expressed and forms proteins which is a code for different cell structures and functions.