Three days after an organism eats some meat, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of
A. glucose
B. protein
C. starch
D. oxygen
B) protein
- Correct: After an organism consumes meat, the organic molecules present in the meat, such as amino acids and lipids, are broken down through the process of digestion. These molecules are then absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to various cells throughout the body. In the cells, these molecules are used as building blocks for synthesizing new proteins. Proteins are essential macromolecules involved in numerous cellular functions, including structural support, enzymatic activity, and regulation of cellular processes. Therefore, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of protein within the organism's cells.
A) glucose
- Incorrect: Glucose is a simple sugar that is primarily derived from the digestion of carbohydrates. While some amino acids obtained from the digestion of protein can be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis, the majority of amino acids are used for protein synthesis, not glucose production.
C) starch
- Incorrect: Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in plants. It is not typically present in meat, and it is not directly synthesized from the organic molecules obtained from meat consumption.
D) oxygen
- Incorrect: Oxygen is a gas essential for cellular respiration but is not synthesized from the organic molecules obtained from meat consumption. Oxygen is mainly obtained through breathing and is used in cellular respiration to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.