Question

A student is given five samples and told they are lysine (an amino acid), lactose (a disaccharide), insulin (a protein hormone), RNA and fat. The samples are in test tubes marked 1-5, but the student doesn't know which compound is in which tube. The student is instructed to identify the contents of each tube. Base on these data, identify what is in each tube. In her first test, she tries to hydrolyze a portion of the contents of each tube. Hydrolysis occurs in all tubes except tube 3. In the next test, she finds that tubes 1, 2, and 3 are positive for nitrogen but only tube 2 gives a positive result for the presence of sulfur. In the next test the student shows that the compound in tube 1 contains a high percentage of phosphate. In the final test the student shows that compound 5 is hydrophobic. Base on these data, identify what is in each tube. 1 2 3 4 5 A. lactose B. RNA C. lysine D. fat

Answer 1

Answer:

1. RNA 2. Insulin 3. Lysine 4. Lactose 5. Fat

Explanation:

RNA contains both nitrogen and phosphate hence it is the substance in tube 1.

Insulin being a protein contains sulfur hence it is the substance in tube 2.

Lysine does not hydrolyse hence it is the substance in tube 3.

Fat is hydrophobic hence it is the substance in tube 5.

Since lactose does hydrolyse and because the rest have been identified, it must be the substance in tube 4.