22. All cells of a species (except for the sex cells ) contain the same amount of DNA. However, the cells of multicellular organisms vary in both structure and function from one tissue type to another. This specialization is evidence that most of the DNA in a cell is
a. inactive                                     b. removed as the cell matures
c. converted into protein        d. converted into glycoprotein

The genetic material of all cells in a given organism is identical except for the sex cells which have only half of the genetic material.   However, most of the information is not expressed in a given cell.  Depending on the function of the cell, certain regions of the cell's DNA will get transcribed.   However, most of the DNA in a given cell will never be transcribed.  This is what is meant by selective gene expression.

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Emma Erdahl, Associate Professor of Biology
Northern Virginia Community College
Revised 8/23/00