Question 1

Which of the following best explains why muscle cells and nerve cells in the same individual look and function differently, despite having the same DNA?

Accepted Answer

They express different sets of genes due to differentiation.

Question 2

During early embryonic development, which stage is characterized by a solid ball of cells resulting from rapid mitotic divisions without growth?

Accepted Answer

Morula

Question 3

If a scientist removes a group of cells from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst and cultures them, what is the most likely property of these cells?

Accepted Answer

They are pluripotent and can give rise to most cell types.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly orders the basic stages of early animal development?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization → Cleavage → Blastocyst → Gastrulation → Organogenesis

Question 5

A researcher introduces a gene into a skin cell that causes it to revert to a pluripotent state. What is the resulting cell called?

Accepted Answer

iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cell

Question 6

Which germ layer gives rise to the nervous system and the epidermis of the skin?

Accepted Answer

Ectoderm

Question 7

A developmental biologist transplants a group of cells from the presumptive neural plate (future nervous system) of one embryo to the presumptive epidermis region of another embryo. The transplanted cells still form neural tissue. What does this experiment demonstrate?

Accepted Answer

The cells are determined to become neural tissue.

Question 8

Which of the following is a likely outcome if gastrulation is experimentally blocked in a developing embryo?

Accepted Answer

The three germ layers will not form, preventing organogenesis.

Question 9

Which tissue is NOT derived from the mesoderm?

Accepted Answer

Lining of the digestive tract

Question 10

A scientist is studying a cell that can give rise to any cell type in the body except for extraembryonic tissues (like the placenta). What is the best term for this cell's potency?

Accepted Answer

Pluripotent

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the process of induction during development?

Accepted Answer

One group of cells influences the fate of a neighboring group of cells.

Question 12

If a mutation prevents cleavage after fertilization, what is the most likely result?

Accepted Answer

The zygote will not divide and no embryo will form.

Question 13

Which of the following is a key difference between determination and differentiation?

Accepted Answer

Determination commits a cell to a fate, while differentiation is the process of acquiring specialized features.

Question 14

Which of the following tissues is derived from the endoderm?

Accepted Answer

Lining of the respiratory tract

Question 15

A patient receives a bone marrow transplant. The transplanted cells are able to give rise to all blood cell types, but not to neurons or muscle cells. What is the potency of these cells?

Accepted Answer

Multipotent

Question 16

Which of the following best describes cleavage in early embryonic development?

Accepted Answer

Rapid mitotic divisions without an increase in overall embryo size

Question 17

If a scientist manipulates a blastocyst so that the inner cell mass is removed, what is the most likely outcome for the embryo?

Accepted Answer

The embryo will fail to develop into a fetus.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct sequence of potency from most to least potent?

Accepted Answer

Totipotent → Pluripotent → Multipotent → Unipotent

Question 19

A researcher exposes a group of undifferentiated cells to a specific signaling molecule, causing them to become muscle cells. This process is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Induction

Question 20

Which of the following statements about stem cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

Stem cells can self-renew and give rise to differentiated cell types.

Developmental Biology: From Fertilization to Differentiation

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