What method did Nirenberg use to decipher the genetic code?
X-ray crystallography
Poly-U experiment
Electrophoresis
Chromatography
Answer
Poly-U experiment: Nirenberg's groundbreaking experiment used a synthetic RNA molecule consisting solely of uracil (poly-U). When this RNA was added to a cell-free protein synthesis system, it produced a polypeptide containing only the amino acid phenylalanine. This result demonstrated that the codon UUU (three uracils in a row) codes for phenylalanine, providing crucial insights into the genetic code.
Decoding the Genetic Code: The Marshall Warren Nirenberg Challenge
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