Question
6. Two rabbits have different parents. One rabbit has ears that flop over, and the other rabbit has ears that stand straight up. Why do the rabbits have ears with different shapes?
Responses
a
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape. The genes are only standing straight up in the cells of one rabbit’s ears.
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape. The genes are only standing straight up in the cells of one rabbit’s ears.
b
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different ear shapes.
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different ear shapes.
c
Each rabbit has a different ear shape because offspring from different parents will have different ear shapes.
Each rabbit has a different ear shape because offspring from different parents will have different ear shapes.
d
Each rabbit has a different ear shape because they have different versions of the gene for ear shape that connect together to make different ear shapes.
Responses
a
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape. The genes are only standing straight up in the cells of one rabbit’s ears.
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape. The genes are only standing straight up in the cells of one rabbit’s ears.
b
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different ear shapes.
The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different ear shapes.
c
Each rabbit has a different ear shape because offspring from different parents will have different ear shapes.
Each rabbit has a different ear shape because offspring from different parents will have different ear shapes.
d
Each rabbit has a different ear shape because they have different versions of the gene for ear shape that connect together to make different ear shapes.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The best response to explain why the two rabbits have ears with different shapes would be:
**b**
"The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different ear shapes."
This response correctly acknowledges the role of genetics in determining physical traits, specifically ear shape, and explains that different versions of genes (alleles) lead to the production of different proteins, which consequently result in variations in ear shape.
**b**
"The rabbits have different versions of the gene for ear shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different ear shapes."
This response correctly acknowledges the role of genetics in determining physical traits, specifically ear shape, and explains that different versions of genes (alleles) lead to the production of different proteins, which consequently result in variations in ear shape.