Question

For a couple of decades, biologists knew the nucleus contained DNA and proteins. The prevailing opinion was that the genetic material was proteins, and not DNA. The reason for this belief was that proteins are more complex than DNA. This is because

1) proteins have a greater variety of three-dimensional forms than does DNA
2) proteins have two different levels of structural organization; DNA has four
3) proteins are made of 20 amino acids and DNA is made of four nucleotides
4) Only A and C are correct
5) A, B, and C are correct

Answer 1

Before the discovery of DNA as the genetic material, biologists believed that proteins were more likely to be the genetic material based on their complexity compared to DNA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the prevailing belief among biologists regarding the genetic material in the nucleus before the discovery that DNA is the genetic material.

At that time, biologists thought that proteins were more likely to be the genetic material because they are more complex. The reasons for this belief include: 1) Proteins have a greater variety of three-dimensional forms compared to DNA. 2) Proteins have two levels of structural organization, while DNA has four. 3) Proteins are made up of 20 amino acids, while DNA is made up of four nucleotides.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 5) A, B, and C are correct.