Each nucleotide has three components – phosphate, sugar and nitrogen containing base. They are made up of repeated monomeric units known as nucleotides. In 1952, two scientists Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase conducted experimental studies using bacteriophages and proved that DNA is the genetic material. They discovered that DNA was the genetic material that was transformed into rough strain bacteria. Later in 1944, Oswald Avery and his colleagues further studied Griffith’s experimental findings. This transformation would have made rough strain bacteria virulent. On the basis of these experimental evidences, Griffith concluded that live rough strain bacteria would have absorbed some material from the heat-killed smooth strain bacteria. Whereas the rough strain does not have the polysaccharide coating and therefore appears rough when viewed under microscope. The smooth strain has a polysaccharide coating around it and appears smooth when viewed under a microscope. He used smooth and rough strains of S.pneumoniae for his experiment. During his study on bacterial pneumonia, he performed an experimental study using Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the year 1928, Frederick Griffith, a British bacteriologist identified the “transforming principle” which later led to the discovery of DNA as the genetic material. These genetic information are transmitted from one generation to the next generation. It contains instructions required for the growth, development and function of a living organism. Discovery of Nucleic Acids:ĭNA is the primary genetic material that carries hereditary information. Whereas, viruses have either DNA or RNA as their genetic material. Nucleic acids are classified into two groups,Īll living cells have both DNA and RNA. He first named these organic compounds as ‘nuclein.’ Later, in the year 1889, Richard Altmann coined the term ‘nucleic acid.’ Since these molecules were first discovered in nucleus, and were found to possess acidic properties, they were named as nucleic acids. He discovered these substances in the nuclei of pus cells. Nucleic acids were first discovered by Swiss biochemist Friedrich Miescher in the year 1869. Nucleic acids are important biomolecules that are mainly involved in storage and transfer of genetic information.
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