During the Process of Embryonic Development, Cells Become Progressively Restricted

Reading Passage Question

During the process of embryonic development, cells become progressively restricted in their developmental potential and finally acquire the biochemical and morphological specialization necessary for their respective functions in an adult. Since enzymatic and structural proteins are required for the appearance and maintenance of this specialization, the differentiated state results from the synthesis and activity of cell-specific proteins during development.

Since all cells of an organism contain the same genotype as the fertilized egg, cellular differentiation is the result of variable gene activity rather than selective gene loss. Thus, cellular specialization and cell-specific protein synthesis result from the expression of appropriately selected groups of genes in each cell type. As development proceeds, the progressive differentiation of cells is correlated with changes in the population of protein species within the embryo, which in turn reflect the accurate programming of the time and sequence of the biosynthesis of different proteins by the genome. In the absence of opportunities for genetic analysis, determining the mechanisms involved in the regulation of protein synthesis is key to understanding genome control during development.

The majority of studies on gene activity in embryogenesis have been done on the sea urchin system, where large numbers of embryos undergoing relatively synchronous development can be easily obtained. Also, sea urchins’ permeability to radioactive isotopes and to inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis provides a distinct advantage for study over amphibian material. Especially well documented are the maternal programming of early development and the genomic control of later differentiation in the urchin. Maternal products, stored in the egg cytoplasm from oogenesis, can support development from fertilization through the hatching blastula stage; however, development from the mesenchyme blastula stage is dependent upon gene products synthesized under the direction of the embryonic genome.

“During the process of embryonic development, cells become progressively restricted” - this is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. With which of the following statements would the author of the passage most likely disagree?

(A) Morphological specialization requires the synthesis of cell-specific proteins.
(B) Embryonic development involves differentiation in cell genotype.
(C) The population of protein species with the embryo is dependent upon the timing of protein biosynthesis.
(D) Enzymatic proteins are required for an organism’s full development.
(E) Selective gene loss is not a factor in cellular differentiation during embryonic development.

2. Which of the following statements about embryonic development in sea urchins is best supported by the passage?

(A) Genomic control over early embryonic development is especially well documented.
(B) Permeability to RNA inhibitors is comparable to that in amphibian embryos.
(C) Development during the hatching blastula stage requires gene products synthesized under the direction of the embryonic genome.
(D) Maternal products can support embryonic development following the mesenchyme blastula stage.
(E) Genomic control of later cell differentiation has been studied extensively

3. The last paragraph of the passage

(A) illustrates a biological process by way of an example.
(B) describes a methodology for studying a biological phenomenon.
(C) compares two stages of biological development.
(D) defines and explains an important term mentioned earlier.
(E) provides an example which disproves a scientific theory

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