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Multiple Choice
Which of the following were used to discover the triplet code?
A
DNA homopolymers
B
RNA homopolymers
C
Protein lysis
D
DNA sequencing
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of the triplet code: The triplet code refers to the three-nucleotide sequence of DNA or RNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.
Recognize the role of RNA homopolymers: RNA homopolymers are sequences of RNA that consist of only one type of nucleotide repeated multiple times. These were crucial in early experiments to decipher the genetic code.
Learn about the experiments by Nirenberg and Matthaei: In the 1960s, Marshall Nirenberg and Heinrich Matthaei used RNA homopolymers in their experiments to determine which amino acids were specified by which codons.
Understand the experimental setup: They synthesized RNA homopolymers and added them to a cell-free system containing ribosomes and other components necessary for protein synthesis. By observing which amino acids were incorporated into proteins, they could deduce the codons.
Connect the findings to the triplet code: The use of RNA homopolymers allowed researchers to identify specific codons and their corresponding amino acids, leading to the discovery of the triplet nature of the genetic code.