The Result of Notch-Mediated Competitive Lateral Inhibition in a Patch

Multiple Choice

The result of Notch-mediated competitive lateral inhibition in a patch of wild-type cells is depicted on the left in the following schematic drawing, in which the black cells have become specialized. Consider a genetic mutation that interferes with intracellular Notch signaling in such a way that Notch can no longer regulate Delta effectively. Which drawing (1 or 2) better represents the outcome with cells bearing this mutation? Do the specialized cells (black hexagons) have active or inactive Notch at their surface?

A) Drawing 1; active Notch
B) Drawing 1; inactive Notch
C) Drawing 2; active Notch
D) Drawing 2; inactive Notch