Question
The model shown here illustrates the ability of rat liver cells to grow in a Petri dish with minimal histidine, an essential nutrient. Which statement correctly describes how the rat liver cells can grow on the media with minimal histidine?
Responses
A The rat liver cells underwent cell division using the histidine from dead and discarded cells in order to grow.The rat liver cells underwent cell division using the histidine from dead and discarded cells in order to grow.
B The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that caused mutations that allow the cells to produce their own histidine.The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that caused mutations that allow the cells to produce their own histidine.
C The rat liver cells were induced to grow in the absence of histidine by producing their own proteins that do not contain histidine.The rat liver cells were induced to grow in the absence of histidine by producing their own proteins that do not contain histidine.
D The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that supplied sufficient histidine and other nutrients that allowed the cells to grow.
Responses
A The rat liver cells underwent cell division using the histidine from dead and discarded cells in order to grow.The rat liver cells underwent cell division using the histidine from dead and discarded cells in order to grow.
B The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that caused mutations that allow the cells to produce their own histidine.The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that caused mutations that allow the cells to produce their own histidine.
C The rat liver cells were induced to grow in the absence of histidine by producing their own proteins that do not contain histidine.The rat liver cells were induced to grow in the absence of histidine by producing their own proteins that do not contain histidine.
D The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that supplied sufficient histidine and other nutrients that allowed the cells to grow.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The most accurate statement that explains how the rat liver cells can grow in a Petri dish with minimal histidine is:
**B. The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that caused mutations that allow the cells to produce their own histidine.**
This statement suggests that the cells underwent genetic changes enabling them to synthesize histidine despite its minimal presence in the growth medium. While option C might sound plausible in terms of protein synthesis, it does not directly address the issue of histidine availability, which is essential given that histidine is an amino acid required for protein synthesis. The other options (A and D) do not correctly describe the mechanisms relevant to the situation.
**B. The rat liver cells were incubated with a chemical that caused mutations that allow the cells to produce their own histidine.**
This statement suggests that the cells underwent genetic changes enabling them to synthesize histidine despite its minimal presence in the growth medium. While option C might sound plausible in terms of protein synthesis, it does not directly address the issue of histidine availability, which is essential given that histidine is an amino acid required for protein synthesis. The other options (A and D) do not correctly describe the mechanisms relevant to the situation.