Question

Which statement best explains why muscle cells and skin cells do not look and act the same?

Answer 1

Number two is the answer

Answer 2

Answer: Option 4 The genes in each type of cell are being expressed differently

Explanation:

• Both skin cells and muscle cells are somatic cells i.e the cells that make up the body parts.

• Since, both of them are somatic cells they both contain the same number of chromosomes which  in case of humans is  23 pairs.

• The set of genes present in each type of cell in the body is the same and therefore, both muscle cell and skin cells have the same genes.

• The reason why muscle cells and skin cells do not look and act the same is that even though these cells contain the same genes, there is differential expression of genes in these cells.

• Differential expression of genes basically means that different combination of genes are activated in a cell which plays a role of defining the purpose of the cell.

• This means that the set of genes that are activated in the skin cells are different from that of the muscle cells.

• As the genes are being expressed differently in the muscle and skin cells, both these cells acquire different characteristics and thus, look different and perform different functions.

So out of all the options, option 4 is the correct one.