Question

question 1 - 8
the human genome project (hgp) was an international scientific project spanning many years and involving hundreds of scientists. its purpose was to determine the sequence of chemical base pairs that
make up dna and map all the human genes. this allowed researchers to compare sequences of human dna to sequences of dna from other organisms. from these comparisons, they could identify
similar genes that may have similar functions. which statement best explains why it is possible to make these types of comparisons of these dna sequences?
virtually all organisms generate mutations that are passed on to their offspring.
the genetic code in virtually all organisms depends upon enzymes to form bonds.
virtually all organisms replicate their genetic material prior to mitotic cell division.
the specific codons that code for a particular amino acid are common to virtually all organisms.

Explanation:

To determine why DNA sequence comparisons across organisms are possible, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Mutation generation and inheritance don't directly explain sequence comparison feasibility for functional analysis.
• Option 2: Enzyme - based bond formation in genetic code is not related to cross - organism DNA sequence comparison for gene function analysis.
• Option 3: Genetic material replication before mitosis is about cell division and not about the basis of cross - species DNA sequence comparison for gene function.
• Option 4: The genetic code (codons) is universal, meaning the same codons code for the same amino acids in nearly all organisms. This universality allows researchers to compare human DNA sequences with those of other organisms and infer similar gene functions, as the underlying code for translating DNA to proteins is shared.

Answer:

The specific codons that code for a particular amino acid are common to virtually all organisms.