Question

In an experiment to check mutagenicity of a substance, we feed the mutagen to a rat and then use the rat _______ extract within the media. This ensures_____________

(a) Kidney; the mutagen can be at a higher concentration

(b) Liver; the media has adequate iron from rat RBC

(c) Liver; the mutagen is processed

(d) Kidney; the mutagen is broken down

The question was posed to me in semester exam.

Question is from DNA Mutation in division DNA Mutation, DNA Repair, Transposable Elements of Cytogenetics

Answer 1

Right choice is (c) Liver; the mutagen is processed

Best explanation: Rat is a mammal similar to human being. In us the food undergoes several processing steps than it would in case of a simple prokaryote like bacteria. Thus, using a rat liver extract ensures that the functional state of the substance is in the extract ensuring more efficiency. Liver processed all the toxins so its extract is used.