Campbell Biology (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321775651
ISBN 13: 978-0-32177-565-8

Chapter 4 - Test Your Understanding - Level 3 - Synthesis/Evaluation - Page 65: 12

Answer

Carbon atoms are very versatile in what shapes of molecules they can make, and, thus, what kind of information they can encode. Tn the case of the two lions pictured this means that different signals can tell male and female lion bodies to produce different structures, such as the mane, which the male has but which they female lacks.

Work Step by Step

Carbon's versatility is what allows life to be so highly varied. This includes not only the signals mentioned in the answer but also the molecules needed to build things like the hairs which compose the mane as well as many, many other things.
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