Which of the following molecules is responsible for the fact that parents who can taste PTC will most often have children who can taste PTC? (1 point)
The molecule responsible for the ability to taste PTC (Phenylthiocarbamide) is the TAS2R38 taste receptor gene.
The molecule responsible for the fact that parents who can taste PTC will most often have children who can taste PTC is known as TAS2R38.
To determine which molecule is responsible for the inheritance of the ability to taste PTC (phenylthiocarbamide), you need to consider the underlying genetics.
PTC tasting ability is primarily controlled by a gene called TAS2R38, which codes for a taste receptor protein on the tongue. This gene exists in two common forms or variations: the taster allele (T) and non-taster allele (t).
If a person inherits at least one copy of the taster allele, they will be able to taste PTC, and if they inherit two copies of the non-taster allele, they will be unable to taste PTC. Individuals who inherit one copy of each allele are considered "tasters."
Now, to answer your question, the molecule responsible for the inheritance of the ability to taste PTC is the DNA molecule itself. The taster and non-taster alleles of the TAS2R38 gene are located on specific regions of the DNA molecule.
Therefore, when parents who are both tasters have children, there is a higher likelihood of passing on the taster allele to their offspring. This is because there is a 50% chance that each parent will pass on their taster allele, resulting in the child inheriting at least one taster allele, which enables them to taste PTC.
So, in summary, the DNA molecule and the specific alleles of the TAS2R38 gene are responsible for the inheritance of the ability to taste PTC.