Which nutrient is part of the amino acids cysteine and methionine?
ANitrogen (N)
BPhosphorus (P)
CMagnesium (Mg)
DSulfur (S)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Sulfur (S)
1. Sulfur is part of certain amino acids, and cysteine and methionine are the two named.
2. It is also present in several coenzymes.
3. Sulfur plays a role in photosynthesis as part of the electron transport chain, where hydrogen gradients help convert light energy into ATP.
4. Nitrogen is the trap here, because nitrogen is part of proteins and nucleic acids generally, so it looks plausible for any amino acid question.
5. The distinction is that only these particular amino acids carry sulfur, while all amino acids carry nitrogen.
6. Magnesium is tied to photosynthesis and phosphorus to nucleic acids and ATP, so neither belongs in an amino acid.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 31 "Soil and Plant Nutrition", section 31.1 Nutritional Requirements of Plants_
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