An animal cell culture was exposed to radioactively labelled oxygen - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 11
An animal cell culture was exposed to radioactively labelled oxygen. The cells were then monitored for three minutes. After this time, the radioactively labelled oxy... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:An animal cell culture was exposed to radioactively labelled oxygen - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 11 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the substances involved
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Answer
In the question, we are given that radioactively labelled oxygen is introduced to an animal cell culture, which will interact with various cellular processes.
Step 2
Consider cellular respiration
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Answer
During cellular respiration, oxygen is utilized primarily in oxidative phosphorylation, which primarily produces water as a byproduct. Hence, we should consider where the oxygen atoms would likely be incorporated.
Step 3
Evaluate the options
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Answer
Looking at the options:
A. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP): While ATP is generated using oxygen, oxygen atoms are not directly present in ATP itself.
B. Carbon dioxide: Oxygen is not incorporated into carbon dioxide in this process.
C. Glucose: Glucose is synthesized in the process of photosynthesis, and while it interacts with oxygen, it is not where the oxygen atoms would be directly present after being labelled.
D. Water: Water (H2O) is formed during cellular respiration and would contain the labelled oxygen atoms after their introduction.
Step 4
Conclusion
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Answer
Thus, the correct answer is D. water, as the radioactively labelled oxygen atoms would primarily end up in water molecules produced during metabolic processes.
