Asked by jacob
Some mice have inherited a genetic mutation that causes them to have a band of white fur around the middle of their bodies. What is most likely true about an ancestor of these mice?
A.
A change in its DNA resulted in a modified protein that controls fur color.
B.
A change in its environment changed the DNA of only part of its body.
C.
A change in its food source affected only the fur around its stomach.
D.
A change in its fur color modified the structure of its DNA.
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
A. A change in its DNA resulted in a modified protein that controls fur color.
Reason: A heritable banded-white trait implies a genetic mutation in an ancestor’s germ cells that altered a gene (and thus the protein it encodes) involved in pigment production or distribution. The other choices describe nonheritable or reverse-causal scenarios (environment/diet causing only part of the body to change, or phenotype changing DNA), which are unlikely.
Reason: A heritable banded-white trait implies a genetic mutation in an ancestor’s germ cells that altered a gene (and thus the protein it encodes) involved in pigment production or distribution. The other choices describe nonheritable or reverse-causal scenarios (environment/diet causing only part of the body to change, or phenotype changing DNA), which are unlikely.
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