Question

1. all animals are heterotrophs. explain why this is the case. ______

______ 5. what do all animal body parts that contain collagen have in common?
____ 6. what is the difference between homeotic genes and hox genes? ____
______

Explanation:

Question 4

Animals lack chloroplasts (the organelle for photosynthesis) and cannot perform photosynthesis to make their own food. They rely on consuming organic matter (like plants, other animals, or decomposing organisms) to obtain energy and nutrients, which is the definition of heterotrophs (organisms that cannot produce their own food and depend on external sources).

Collagen is a key component of the extracellular matrix in animal connective tissues. Body parts with collagen (like bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, skin) are part of connective tissue systems, which function in support, binding, protection, or structural organization of the body.

Homeotic genes are a broader class of genes that control the development of body structures (e.g., determining which body part forms where). Hox genes are a specific subset of homeotic genes, found in clusters, that regulate the anterior - posterior (head - to - tail) axis development in animals, specifying segment identity.

Answer:

Animals are heterotrophs because they cannot perform photosynthesis (lack chloroplasts) and must consume organic matter (from other organisms) to obtain energy and nutrients.

Question 5