Question

Why did scientists originally believe that proteins, rather than DNA, were the molecules that directed protein synthesis?

1) Proteins were the more complex molecules in which genetic information could be stored.
2) Proteins were more likely to have catalytic properties for synthesis reactions.
3) Proteins were the same types of molecules as those that were being synthesized.
4) At the time, more was known about the structure of proteins than that of DNA.

Answer 1

Scientists initially believed that proteins, rather than DNA, were the molecules that directed protein synthesis. However, it was later discovered that DNA is the molecule that carries the genetic information that directs protein synthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists initially believed that proteins, rather than DNA, were the molecules that directed protein synthesis for several reasons:

1. Proteins were considered to be more complex molecules in which genetic information could be stored.
2. Proteins were thought to have catalytic properties that were necessary for synthesis reactions.
3. Proteins were the same type of molecules as the ones being synthesized.
4. At the time, more was known about the structure of proteins compared to that of DNA.

However, it was later discovered that DNA is the molecule that carries the genetic information that directs protein synthesis.

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