[Campbell Biology P.1108] What is the significance of the asymmetrical partitioning of P gran... | Practice Question

What is the significance of the asymmetrical partitioning of P granules during C. elegans early embryonic development, as shown in Figure 47.21?

  • A: Ensures all cells inherit P granules, leading to uniform germ cell fate.
  • B: Directs P granules to the anterior end, specifying neural cell fate.
  • C: Concentrates P granules in a specific lineage, establishing germ cell fate in only a subset of cells.
  • D: Prevents P granules from being passed to daughter cells, regulating cell division rates.

Explanation

P granules act as cytoplasmic determinants that are asymmetrically partitioned to specific cells during early C. elegans development. This unequal distribution ensures that only a subset of cells, typically those in the posterior lineage, inherit these determinants, thereby establishing their fate as germ cells. This is crucial for segregating the germline from the somatic lineage.