Purchase Solution

Biochemical Synthesized Pathways

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

"A branched biochemical pathway synthesizes two related essential amino acids D and F. A mutant defective for enzyme 2 will grow on minimal medium supplemented with which compounds?"

The picture drawn with this problem looks something like this (I'll also attach a Word file in case this is unclear:

1 2 4
precursor ---> A ---> B ---> C ---> D
3 5
---> E ---> F

So that A leads to B, and B leads to either C then D (on one pathway), or to E then F (on a different pathway).

I thought the answer would have been B. Mutant 2, if given compound B, can synthesize its own C, then D. But the answer given in the answer key is "C and D." I don't understand that. At the very least, I would think the answer would be B, C, or D -- that mutant 2 could grow if any of those were added to minimal media.

Also, if I'm totally wrong in my thinking here, and C and D are the right answers, then shouldn't the answer be C OR D, not C AND D. Mutant 2 should only need one or the other, not both. If given C, it can make its own D; if given D, it doesn't need the intermediate C.

Can you please clear this up for me?

Thank you!

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

The biochemical synthesized pathways are analyzed.

Solution Preview

Hello,

I think that you have explained your thinking on this problem very clearly. I just want to clarify the terminology with regards to enzymes to make sure that we are saying the same thing. An enzyme catalyses a reaction by overcoming the activation energy for that reaction under physiological conditions (i.e. in a way that does not harm the cell). In catalysing a reaction, the enzyme acts on one product, called the substrate, to assist in converting it to the product of the ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Breastfeeding Basics

How much do you know about breastfeeding? Find out with this quiz!

BIOLOGY

Basics in biology

The Heart

This quiz test the understanding of the heart and some of its parts. It is important to understand how the heart functions and what makes it function.

Hemophilia: Fact or Fiction

Do you know the truth about hemophilia? Test your knowledge here.

Human Anatomy- Reproductive System

Do you know your reproductive anatomy?