Biologists Hypothesize That the Protein Collagen Is Both a Structural

Multiple Choice

Biologists hypothesize that the protein collagen is both a structural ingredient in bone and a stimulating molecule that induces immature bone cells to develop and produce other ingredients for bone growth.To test this hypothesis, two groups of mice were studied from birth to adulthood.One mouse group was normal, while the other carried a mutation in a gene that controls the synthesis of type I collagen.Panel A in the figure below compares the sizes of the mice in the two groups, and panel B compares their weights.Panel C compares the skeletal features of the two groups, with dark gray representing bone and light gray representing cartilage. Which statement can be made about the nature of the mutation in the experimental group?

A) The mutation prevents type I collagen synthesis.
B) The mutation significantly slows type I collagen synthesis.
C) The mutation significantly stimulates type I collagen synthesis.
D) The mutation delays the initiation of type I collagen synthesis until late in development.
E) The mutation initiates type I collagen synthesis much earlier than normal.