"Lonesome George's Genome Offers Clues to Long Life"

Question

by Vicky Stein

Lonesome George, a wizened Galapagos giant tortoise, was the last of his kind. When a researcher spotted the nearly five-foot-long reptile roaming Pinta Island in 1971, his species had been thought extinct for decades. During the 40 years that followed — until his death in 2012 — Lonesome George was believed to be the only Pinta giant tortoise on the planet.

Now, researchers are using the iconic tortoise’s genetic material along with DNA from another long-lived turtle, the Aldabra giant tortoise, to better understand what it takes to live a long life.

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Question
Use the article excerpt to answer the question.

What reason does the author give for researchers’ success sequencing Lonesome George’s DNA?

(1 point)
Responses

Sequencing a genome involves figuring out the order of every DNA base in an organism’s cells.
Sequencing a genome involves figuring out the order of every DNA base in an organism’s cells.

When Adalgisa ‘Gisella’ Caccone began trying to assemble the complete set of Lonesome George’s genes in 2010, the technology was slow and expensive.
When Adalgisa ‘Gisella’ Caccone began trying to assemble the complete set of Lonesome George’s genes in 2010, the technology was slow and expensive.

The Human Genome Project provided advancements in DNA sequencing technology. This made it easier to sequence the tortoise’s DNA.
The Human Genome Project provided advancements in DNA sequencing technology. This made it easier to sequence the tortoise’s DNA.

Victor Quesada compared what researchers know about tortoise aging to human aging to study the genes that control the process.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The Human Genome Project provided advancements in DNA sequencing technology. This made it easier to sequence the tortoise’s DNA.