Adhesion molecules in choanoflagellates serve the same function as those in thei

Question

Adhesion molecules in choanoflagellates serve the same function as those in their sister group, the animals. This means that:

Question 1 options:

evolution adapted unicellular tools for multicellular purposes.

choanoflagellates evolved from complex multicellular animals.

animals and choanoflagellates likely evolved adhesion molecules independently.

gap junctions allow animal cells to communicate effectively with each other.

evolution adapted unicellular tools for multicellular purposes.

choanoflagellates evolved from complex multicellular animals.

animals and choanoflagellates likely evolved adhesion molecules independently.

gap junctions allow animal cells to communicate effectively with each other.

Explanation / Answer

Option first is correct. Choanoflagellates are unicellular eukaryote and closest relative to multicellular animals. The presence of so many cell adhesion molecules and their corresponding genes in a unicellular organism (choanoflagellates) and animal cell both, indicates that much of the machinery for making multicellular animals was in place long before the origin of animals. Thus, evolution adapted the tools which were already present in unicellular organisms for multicellular purposes.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.