Question

chapter 3: chemistry of life: breaking good
page(s) 47-50 3.3. describe the structure and function of the four major classes of biomolecules and their roles in biological systems.
there is an enormous diversity of biomolecules used in cellular life. each of the molecules requires one or more proteins to be synthesized, folded, and/or regulated. scientists are interested in understanding the minimum number of proteins, coded for by genes, required for life. most free-living bacteria carry between 1,000 to 2,000 genes. however, parasitic bacteria such as mycoplasma spp. carry as few as 500 genes. based on this knowledge, what might be the minimum number of genes required for life?

hundreds thousands ten thousand twenty thousand

Explanation:

The text states that parasitic bacteria like Mycoplasma spp. carry as few as 500 genes and are still alive. 500 is in the range of "hundreds". The other options (thousands, ten thousand, twenty thousand) are higher than the minimum number indicated by the example of parasitic bacteria.

Answer:

hundreds