
Concept explainers
Why did researchers initially believe that the genetic material was composed of proteins?
- a. Proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA.
- b. Proteins are found only in the nucleus, but DNA is found in many areas of the cell.
- c. Proteins are much larger molecules and can store more information than DNA.
- d. all of the above
- e. both a and c

Introduction: Every organism present in nature contains genetic material. There are two types of genetic material and they are DNA and RNA. DNA stands for “deoxyribonucleic acid” and RNA represents “ribonucleic acid”. In eukaryotes, the genetic material is enclosed by a well-defined nuclear membrane. However, prokaryotic organisms lack a nuclear membrane.
Answer to Problem 1TY
Correct answer: The researchers initially believed that the genetic material was composed of proteins because proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA. Hence, the correct answer is option a.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for correct answer:
The scientists in the earlier time have a great misconception that protein was the genetic material. They believed this because they were aware of the involvement of the protein in most of the cellular activities. The variety of proteins also paved way to this misconception. They were not much aware of DNA. They believed that since proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA, it must be the genetic material.
Option a. is given as “Proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA”.
Proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA. Therefore, the researchers initially believed that the genetic material was composed of proteins. Hence, the correct answer is option a.
Reasons for incorrect answer:
Option b. is given as, “Proteins are found only in the nucleus, but DNA is found in many areas of the cell”.
The nucleus contains both DNA and proteins (histones). It is protein and not DNA that is found in many areas of the cell. Proteins are present in every part of the cell, such as in cytoplasm, organelle, nucleus, and cell membrane. However, DNA is the constituent of the nucleus only. Hence, option b. is incorrect.
Option c. is given as, “Proteins are much larger molecules and can store more information than DNA”.
The earlier scientists believed that proteins are the major constituents of the genetic material. They had this misconception on the basis that proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA. This belief of the researchers had no association with the larger size of proteins. Hence, option c. is incorrect.
Option d. is given as, “all of the above”.
The earlier scientist believed that the genetic material was composed of proteins as proteins are more biochemically complex than DNA. They did not make this conception due to the other reasons mentioned in option b. and c. Hence, option d. is incorrect.
Option e. is given as, “both a. and c”.
The option a. correctly describes the reason due to which the researchers initially believed that the genetic material was composed of proteins and not DNA. However, the option c. has no role in this misconception. Hence, option e. is incorrect.
Hence, the options b., c., d., and e. are incorrect.
Therefore, the reason that the researchers initially believed that the genetic material was composed of proteins was that proteins are more biochemically complex than the DNA.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 11 Solutions
Biology
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
The Cosmic Perspective (8th Edition)
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
SEELEY'S ANATOMY+PHYSIOLOGY
Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology (11th Edition)
Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
- can you help? I think its B but not surearrow_forwardSkip to main content close Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now! arrow_forward search SEARCH ASK Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BUY Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition) 11th Edition ISBN: 9780134580999 Author: Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn Publisher: PEARSON 1 The Human Body: An Orientation expand_moreChapter 1 : The Human Body: An Orientation Chapter Questions expand_moreSection: Chapter Questions Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,... format_list_bulletedProblem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,... See similar textbooks Bartleby Related Questions Icon Related questions Bartleby Expand Icon bartleby Concept explainers bartleby Question Draw a replication bubble with two replication forks.blue lines are DNA single strands and red lines are RNA single strands.indicate all 3' and 5’ ends on all DNA single…arrow_forwardProvide an answerarrow_forward
- Question 4 1 pts Which of the following would be most helpful for demonstrating alternative splicing for a new organism? ○ its proteome and its transcriptome only its transcriptome only its genome its proteome and its genomearrow_forwardIf the metabolic scenario stated with 100 mM of a sucrose solution, how much ATP would be made then during fermentation?arrow_forwardWhat is agricuarrow_forward
- When using the concept of "a calorie in is equal to a calorie out" how important is the quality of the calories?arrow_forwardWhat did the Cre-lox system used in the Kikuchi et al. 2010 heart regeneration experiment allow researchers to investigate? What was the purpose of the cmlc2 promoter? What is CreER and why was it used in this experiment? If constitutively active Cre was driven by the cmlc2 promoter, rather than an inducible CreER system, what color would you expect new cardiomyocytes in the regenerated area to be no matter what? Why?arrow_forwardWhat kind of organ size regulation is occurring when you graft multiple organs into a mouse and the graft weight stays the same?arrow_forward
- What is the concept "calories consumed must equal calories burned" in regrads to nutrition?arrow_forwardYou intend to insert patched dominant negative DNA into the left half of the neural tube of a chick. 1) Which side of the neural tube would you put the positive electrode to ensure that the DNA ends up on the left side? 2) What would be the internal (within the embryo) control for this experiment? 3) How can you be sure that the electroporation method itself is not impacting the embryo? 4) What would you do to ensure that the electroporation is working? How can you tell?arrow_forwardDescribe a method to document the diffusion path and gradient of Sonic Hedgehog through the chicken embryo. If modifying the protein, what is one thing you have to consider in regards to maintaining the protein’s function?arrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax CollegeBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...BiologyISBN:9781305117396Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning





