Biochemical markers used to monitor genetic integrity include:

• A. Serum fatty acids
• B. Nucleic acids
• C. Proteins
• D. Carbohydrates of cell plasma membranes

Answer: (C)

Biochemical markers used to monitor genetic integrity focus on the expression products of the genome. Proteins are the functional products of genes; by measuring specific proteins, you can detect deviations that suggest genetic drift, contamination, or mutation. Because protein expression patterns reflect regulatory changes and post-translational modifications, they provide a practical, sensitive readout of whether the genetic information is being expressed as intended. Serum fatty acids reflect metabolic state rather than genetic fidelity, nucleic acids are the genetic material themselves and are typically assessed with sequencing or DNA-level tests rather than routine marker profiling, and carbohydrates of cell membranes pertain to membrane structure rather than confirming genome stability. Therefore, proteins serve as the most effective biochemical markers for monitoring genetic integrity in this context.