Discovery of Nucleic Acids

Who was the first scientist to discover nucleic acids?

• Friedrich Miescher

• Gregor Mendel

• James Watson

• Rosalind Franklin

In what year did Friedrich Miescher discover nucleic acids?

• 1869

• 1928

• 1953

• 1802

How did Friedrich Miescher discover nucleic acids?

• By looking at bandaged wounds

• By studying plant cells

• By analyzing animal bones

• By observing bacteria in a petri dish

Which two elements did Friedrich Miescher find in large amounts in the substance he studied?

• Nitrogen and phosphorus

• Carbon and hydrogen

• Oxygen and sulfur

• Calcium and potassium

What is the function of the phosphate group in the structure of DNA?

• It forms part of the DNA backbone

• It codes for genetic information

• It acts as an enzyme

• It provides energy for the cell

Which component of a DNA nucleotide contains nitrogen?

• Nitrogenous base

• Phosphate group

• Pentose sugar

• Deoxyribose

Based on the information provided, why was the discovery of nitrogen and phosphorus in the substance significant for understanding DNA?

• It indicated that DNA is chemically distinct from proteins

• It showed that DNA is a source of energy

• It proved that DNA is a carbohydrate

• It demonstrated that DNA is not found in cells

Who discovered the concept of complementary base pairings in DNA, also known as Chargaff's Rule?

• Erwin Chargaff

• James Watson

• Francis Crick

• Rosalind Franklin

According to Chargaff's Rule, which base pairs with Thymine (T) in DNA?

• Guanine (G)

• Cytosine (C)

• Adenine (A)

• Uracil (U)

In what year did Chargaff discover the complementary base pairings in DNA?

• 1944

• 1950

• 1962

• 1971