Essential Cell Biology, 4th Edition

Published by Garland Science
ISBN 10: 0815344546
ISBN 13: 978-0-81534-454-4

Chapter 20 - Cell Communities: Tissues, Stem Cells, and Cancer - Questions - Page 726: Question 20-14

Answer

No, a human baby would not be the result for multiple reasons. For example, the conditions are not suitable. A human baby will not fit in a stork egg.

Work Step by Step

DNA is specifically developmental instructions. The structure of the genomes determines what will become of the offspring as in traits it will exhibit, like a widows' peak or webbed toes. These developmental instructions cannot be followed if the conditions are not suitable, say due to nourishment (a human baby must be connected to it's mother to grow and gain nutrients in the womb), environment (a human baby won't fit in a stork egg), spacial organization as an egg won't allow for the right cell differentiation in early development, or the suitable tools like the transcription regulators. The conditions must be set by the parent organism and therefore are not entirely based on the DNA inherited. If these conditions are met then the instructions in the DNA will be followed.
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