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Question
Write the contributions of the following scientists in deciphering the genetic code.
George Gamow; Hargobind Khorana; Marshall Nirenberg; Severo Ochoa
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Solution
George Gamow proposed that if 20 amino acids are to be coded by 4 bases, then the code should be made up of three nucleotides.
43 = 64 (42 = 16), which is less than 20; so, the codon was proposed to be a triplet.
Har Gobind Khorana developed a chemical method to synthesize RNA molecules with a defined combination of bases.
Marshall Nirenberg developed cell-free systems for protein synthesis, which helped the code to be deciphered.
Severo Ochoa discovered an enzyme (polynucleotide phosphorylase) which helped in the synthesis of RNA with defined sequences in a template-independent manner.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Differentiate between the genetic codes given below:
Unambiguous and Universal
Differentiate between the genetic codes given below:
Degenerate and Initiator
The first codon to be deciphered was ______ which codes for ______.
Frame shift mutation occurs when ______.
Because most of the amino acids are represented by more than one codon, the genetic code is ______.
Out of A=T, G =C pairing, bases of DNA may exist in alternate valency state owing to arrangement called ______.
Genetic code translates the language of:
Statement I:
The codon ‘AUG’ codes for methionine and phenylalanine.
Statement II:
‘AAA’ and ‘AAG’ are both codons that code for the amino acid lysine.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
A single base mutation in a gene may not ‘always’ result in loss or gain of function. Do you think the statement is correct? Defend your answer.
Which one of the following is a termination codon?
