AP Biology :1.4 Carbohydrates. - Exam Style questions with Answer- FRQ
Question
A scientist conducted an experiment to find out what type of macromolecule a virus injects into a cell. Using radiolabeled atoms, the
scientist found that phosphorus from the virus entered the cell but sulfur did not. Which of the following molecules would most likely be
injected from this virus into the cell?
(A) carbohydrate
(B) nucleic acid
(C) protein
(D) steroid
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
(B) Nucleic acids contain phosphorus but not sulfur. So if phosphorus
entered the cell but sulfur did not, a nucleic acid was most likely
injected. Choice (A) is incorrect because carbohydrates typically do not
contain phosphorus. Proteins typically contain sulfur but not
phosphorus, so choice (C) is incorrect. Choice (D) is incorrect because
steroids are a type of lipid that do not contain phosphorus