Studies of the endomembrane system often involve the use of a protein that can emit a green fluorescence (glow). A researcher wants to make a video of cell behavior, so she initially labels the outer nuclear envelope of a cell with the fluorescent tag and records a video for several hours. Later, she sees that the tag is part of a transport vesicle very close to the plasma membrane.
-What likely happened during the intervening time?
A) The outer membrane of the nucleus broke off and moved the fluorescent tag to the Golgi.
B) The endoplasmic reticulum engulfed the tagged protein and released it in a transport vacuole.
C) Material from the nucleus, including the tag, was being secreted outside the cell.
D) The tag was seen in the Golgi before being seen in a transport vacuole.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fluorescent tag likely moved from the outer nuclear envelope to the endoplasmic reticulum, then to the Golgi apparatus, and finally into a transport vesicle near the plasma membrane, following the typical path of the endomembrane system.

Studies of the Endomembrane System Often Involve the Use of a Protein