Answer to Question #4761 in Microbiology for Lisa

Question

The difference between a brain cell and liver cell results from:
a. the location in the body
b. the electric potential of the membrane
c. the selective loss of DNA from each cell type
d. differential gene expression
e. modified genetic code

Answer 1

a.) and d.)

a) Because neurons are cells that send and receive electro-chemical signals to and from the brain and nervous system. There are about 100 billion neurons in the brain. There are many more glial cells; they provide support functions for the neurons, and are far more numerous than neurons. Neurons and glial cells are locate in the human brain. Liver cells locate in the liver. The liver lies below the diaphragm in the abdominal-pelvic region of the abdomen. It produces bile, an alkaline compound which aids in digestion via the emulsification of lipids.

d) The process of gene expression is regulated by cues from both within and outside cells, and the interplay between these cues and the genome affects essentially all processes that occur during embryonic development and adult life.