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 Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Lipids

Nucleic Acids

The molecule responsible for the ability to taste PTC (phenylthiocarbamide) is related to the genetics of an individual rather than a specific molecule. The trait of being able to taste PTC is passed from parent to child through genetic inheritance. Therefore, the correct answer is nucleic acids, specifically DNA, which contains the genetic information that determines an individual's traits.

The ability to taste PTC (phenylthiourea) is determined by a gene called TAS2R38, which encodes for a bitter taste receptor on the tongue. There are two common alleles of this gene: one that codes for the ability to taste PTC, and another that codes for the inability to taste it.

The inheritance of the ability to taste PTC follows a simple Mendelian pattern. If both parents have at least one copy of the "taster" allele, their child will inherit at least one copy and will also be able to taste PTC. Therefore, the ability to taste PTC is passed down from parent to child.

The molecules responsible for this inheritance are nucleic acids, specifically DNA, which contains the genetic information for traits. DNA is composed of nucleotides, which make up the genetic code. These nucleotides sequence determines the structure and function of genes, including the TAS2R38 gene responsible for PTC tasting.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: Nucleic Acids.

Which structure below represents the most abundant molecule in lipids?(1 point) Responses

Fatty acids