A scientist is studying the metabolism of proteins in yeast and wants to follow the formation of proteins from the earliest poss
ible point. In her experiment, she will feed the yeast radioactive nutrients and follow the fate of the radioactivity in the cells. Which of the following atoms will allow her to exclusively follow proteins in the cell? A. Radioactive nitrogen
B. Radioactive carbon
C. Radioactive oxygen
D. Radioactive sulfur
The process begins by labelling the yeast with the radioactive sulfur and then it is incorporated into the peptides. Then the scientists can detect and isolate small portions of it.
Radioactive sulfur is preferred for this process because it is short-lived.
