Explain why many developmental genes encode either transcription factors or signaling molecules.

Question

Accepted Answer

Welcome back, everybody. Let's look at our next question, which of the following plays a crucial role in coordinating cell behavior and ensuring that cells differentiate into the correct cell types at the correct times during development. Choice, A transcription factors, B signaling molecules C primary inducers or choice D, both transcription factors and signaling molecules. So let's keep in mind that we have that choice D which is essentially both A and B. So let's look at A and B here we recall that transcription factors are factors that bind to a specific DNA sequence and then regulate the gene expression. So that is something that would be very crucial in ensuring that cells differentiate into the correct cell types. So we're gonna put a little dot by transcription factors because they would be important. And then choice B signaling molecules are molecules that bind two surface cell receptors and initiate signaling cascades that lead to changes in gene expression and behavior. And signaling molecules are also important because when you're coordinating a whole bunch of different cells doing different things and the timing is crucial. Things like signaling cascades are important because they allow things to change very quickly. And of course, communication between cells is important when trying to coordinate something as complex as the events of early development. So that's going to point us to choice d both transcription factors and signaling molecules. Let's just take a quick look at jo C primary inducers. Well, primary inducers come along a little bit later and they're involved in the beginning of organogenesis. So the formation of organs which is a little later in development. So that's why they are not our correct answer. So again, a crucial role in coordinating cell behavior. And again, we have that word coordination, which helps us think about cell signaling and ensuring that cells differentiate into the correct cell types at the correct time. String development is choice d both transcription factors and signaling molecules. See you in the next video.

Explain why many developmental genes encode either transcription factors or signaling molecules.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Transcription Factors

Signaling Molecules

Gene Regulation in Development