Question

How do heavy metals reach high localized concentration?

(a) Bind to amino acids containing Sulfur

(b) Bind to amino acids containing Nickle

(c) Bind to amino acids containing Copper

(d) Bind to amino acids containing Cadmium

I have been asked this question in a job interview.

I need to ask this question from Genetic Aspects of Heavy Metal Resistance in portion Microbial Transformation of Heavy Metals of Environmental Biotechnology

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) Bind to amino acids containing Sulfur

To explain I would say: Firstly, there are no amino acids existing under normal conditions which has Nickle, Copper or Cadmium in its side chains, so, heavy metals do not bind to Nickle, Copper or Cadmium. heavy metals reach high localized concentration by binding to amino acids containing Sulfur and accumulate within the cells.