In 1931, a chemist named Arthur Fox was pouring some powdered PTC (phenylthiocarbamide) into a bottle when some of the powder accidentally blew into the air. A colleague standing nearby complained that the dust tasted bitter. Fox tasted nothing at all. Curious how they could be tasting the chemical differently, they tasted it again. The results were the same. Fox had his friends and family try the chemical then describe how it tasted. Some people tasted nothing. Some found it intensely bitter, and still others thought it tasted only slightly bitter (from The University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center, 2013). It is estimated that 70% of the population can taste PTC and 30% cannot. We also know that the ability to taste PTC is passed from parent to child.

Question

In 1931, a chemist named Arthur Fox was pouring some powdered PTC (phenylthiocarbamide) into a bottle when some of the powder accidentally blew into the air. A colleague standing nearby complained that the dust tasted bitter. Fox tasted nothing at all. Curious how they could be tasting the chemical differently, they tasted it again. The results were the same. Fox had his friends and family try the chemical then describe how it tasted. Some people tasted nothing. Some found it intensely bitter, and still others thought it tasted only slightly bitter (from The University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center, 2013). It is estimated that 70% of the population can taste PTC and 30% cannot. We also know that the ability to taste PTC is passed from parent to child.

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)
Responses

Proteins
Proteins

Lipids
Lipids

Nucleic Acids
Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates

Answer 1

Nucleic Acids

Answer 2

The molecule responsible for the fact that parents who can taste PTC will most often have children who can taste PTC is Nucleic Acids.

Answer 3

To determine which molecule is responsible for the fact that parents who can taste PTC (phenylthiocarbamide) will most often have children who can taste PTC, we need to consider the mechanism of this taste perception and how it is inherited.

The ability to taste PTC is primarily determined by genetic factors. The gene TAS2R38 plays a key role in determining whether an individual can taste PTC or not. This gene encodes a protein receptor that is responsible for recognizing PTC molecules and transmitting the taste signal to the brain.

Therefore, the molecule responsible for the inheritance of the ability to taste PTC is nucleic acids. In particular, it is the genetic information encoded in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that is passed from parents to their children that carries the instructions for producing the TAS2R38 protein receptor. This genetic information is transcribed into RNA (ribonucleic acid) and then translated into a protein, which is the TAS2R38 receptor.

So, in summary, the molecule responsible for the fact that parents who can taste PTC will most often have children who can taste PTC is nucleic acids, specifically DNA, which carries the genetic information required for the production of the TAS2R38 protein receptor.