NEETZoologyMolecular Basis of Inheritance
Who helped decipher the code with the help of a cell-free system for protein synthesis?
Options
- AHar Gobind Khorana
- BGeorge Gamow
- CSevero Ochoa
- DMarshall Nirenberg
Correct answer
D. Marshall Nirenberg
Step-by-step solution
Providing proof that the codon was a triplet, was a more daunting task. The chemical method developed by Har Gobind Khorana was instrumental in synthesizing RNA molecules with defined combinations of bases (homopolymers and copolymers). Marshall Nirenberg’s cell-free system for protein synthesis finally helped the code to be deciphered. Severo Ochoa enzyme (polynucleotide phosphorylase) was also helpful in polymerising RNA with defined sequences in a template independent manner (enzymatic synthesis of RNA).