. a. Mice engineered to block expression of the geneencoding the telomerase protein age at a muchfaster rate than normal and have decreased lifespans. When expression of the telomerase proteinis turned back on in mice that are prematurely old,many negative effects of this aging are rapidly anddramatically reversed. Provide a possible explanation for these results.b. The results of these mouse experiments have ledsome researchers to propose that treatments thatcould lead to overexpression of the telomerase genemight serve as a “fountain of youth” leading to reversal of aging in humans. Why do you think weshould be very cautious about trying such treatments? Your argument should address why it mightbe advantageous to multicellular organisms for mostof their somatic cells not to express telomerase.

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305251052
Author:Michael Cummings
Publisher:Michael Cummings
Chapter8: The Structure, Replication, And Chromosomal Organization Of Dna
Section8.4: The Watson-crick Model Of Dna Structure
Problem 1GR: Two genes associated with breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2, were discovered in 1994 and 1995,...
icon
Related questions
Topic Video
Question

. a. Mice engineered to block expression of the gene
encoding the telomerase protein age at a much
faster rate than normal and have decreased life
spans. When expression of the telomerase protein
is turned back on in mice that are prematurely old,
many negative effects of this aging are rapidly and
dramatically reversed. Provide a possible explanation for these results.
b. The results of these mouse experiments have led
some researchers to propose that treatments that
could lead to overexpression of the telomerase gene
might serve as a “fountain of youth” leading to reversal of aging in humans. Why do you think we
should be very cautious about trying such treatments? Your argument should address why it might
be advantageous to multicellular organisms for most
of their somatic cells not to express telomerase.

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Mitochondrial mutations
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
  • SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co…
Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co…
Biology
ISBN:
9781305251052
Author:
Michael Cummings
Publisher:
Cengage Learning