1. Cells contain _____ that holds the instructions for cell specialization within multicellular organisms.
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Answer: protein.
Proteins are the structures that allow cells to go through specialization. All cells have the exact same genome within an organism. However, each cell has unique environmental cues that cause it to only create certain proteins from that genome. For example, neurons, brain cells, create neuron specific proteins like neurotransmitters, receptors, and neuron growth factors. This allows neurons to do their unique job of sending and receiving signals in the body. Other cells, like cardiomyocytes contain proteins unique to the heart that allow them to carry out their job of contracting and pumping blood all over the body. Cardiomyocytes and neurons both contain the exact same genes, but the proteins they make on a daily basis to do their jobs are very different.