Consider the scenario of two scientists conducting an experiment to track what happens to the carbon atoms from CO₂ molecules used during the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis. They add a radioactive ?tag? to the carbon atoms of the CO₂ reactants and then collect the products following the reactions. They analyze the products for their level of radioactivity. Which product(s) would you expect to be radioactive?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis, CO2 molecules are fixed into organic molecules, such as glucose. Since the radioactive tag was added to the carbon atoms of the CO2, only the products containing carbon would be radioactive. Glucose, being a product of the Calvin cycle that contains carbon, would be radioactive. ATP and water, although involved in photosynthesis, do not incorporate the carbon atoms from CO2 and thus would not be radioactive in this scenario.

Consider the Scenario of Two Scientists Conducting an Experiment to Track