17.
The figure shows a biosynthetic pathway for the
metabolite M. You have isolated four bacterial
3
2
1
4
R
Q
P
M
mutants (1, 2, 3, and 4), each mutant being defective for one of the enzymes shown. Assuming that synthesis or uptake of M is required for growth and that the bacterium can utilize each of the metabolites
shown if they are supplied in the medium, predict whether each mutant can grow on the following
medium: minimal medium, minimal medium supplemented with M, minimal medium supplemented
with P, minimal medium supplemented with Q, and minimal medium supplemented with R.