Question

Scientists recently identified the function of three proteins in plants. The proteins regulate the production of fatty acids, which are found in fats and oils. Which question will most likely be asked about the results, leading to more investigations?
How are proteins produced?
Are the plants nonrenewable resources?
How much energy do fatty acids produce when they are burned as fuel?
How can the proteins be used to increase the amount of oil produced by a plant?

Answer 1

Cells use a complex assembly of molecules called a ribosome. This is how proteins are produced.

Plants are a renewable resource. Plants can be used repeatedly and easily, and naturally, replaced.

The energy yield from a gram of fatty acids is approximately 9 kcal (37 kJ)

When a plant is low on sugar, a cascade of molecular interactions degrades a protein called WRINKLED1 that turns on fatty acid synthesis is how plants produce oil- One cause is when you compare plants grown under strong nutrient deficiency with normal fertilized plants!