Question

A yeast is cultured in the presence of radioactive phosphate and the following biological molecules are purified. Which molecule should be most radioactive? A. An oligosaccharide B. Proteins C. Fats D. RNA E. Amino acids The answer is D. RNA Can someone please explain why?

Answer 1

Answer:

The most radioactive purified biological molecule will be RNA

Explanation:

RNA (ribonucleic acid) like DNA, is a long, unbranched macromolecule consisting of nucleotides joined by 3' - 5' phosphodiester bond.

In the cultured yeast, RNA is the most radioactive purified biological molecule because RNA is normally single stranded and does not undergo mutation, replication nor transcription.

Hence, it conserves the ultraviolet light absorbed from the radioactive phosphate during the culturing of yeast