Har Gobind Khorana — Questions and answers

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What did scientists call the idea that genetic information moves from DNA to RNA, and then to proteins?

Choices

  1. The Genetic Puzzle
  2. The Central Dogma ✓
  3. The Hidden Language
  4. The Amino Acid Secret

Answer: The Central Dogma

From page 2

What did Marshall Nirenberg and Heinrich Matthaei discover using a chain of repeating uracil bases (poly-U)?

Choices

  1. That DNA had a spiral shape.
  2. That DNA could make more DNA.
  3. That a specific protein was made of phenylalanine, suggesting a code of three bases. ✓
  4. That all sixty-four genetic codes were easy to find.

Answer: That a specific protein was made of phenylalanine, suggesting a code of three bases.

From page 3

What special method did Har Gobind Khorana create?

Choices

  1. A way to grow super tall plants.
  2. Methods to make short, exact chains of DNA and RNA bases. ✓
  3. A new type of telescope.
  4. A recipe for delicious cookies.

Answer: Methods to make short, exact chains of DNA and RNA bases.

From page 4

After making short pieces of DNA and RNA, what did Khorana's team do next?

Choices

  1. They put them into a spaceship.
  2. They carefully connected them to make longer chains with specific patterns. ✓
  3. They used them to paint pictures.
  4. They guessed what they did.

Answer: They carefully connected them to make longer chains with specific patterns.

From page 5

What was the big achievement of Khorana's team using their special RNA chains, like 'UCUCUC...'?

Choices

  1. They built a new kind of robot.
  2. They invented a secret code.
  3. They found out which amino acid matched every genetic code word. ✓
  4. They discovered how to make gold.

Answer: They found out which amino acid matched every genetic code word.

From page 6

What amazing thing did Khorana's team accomplish in 1970 after they figured out the genetic code?

Choices

  1. They taught a computer to speak.
  2. They made a whole working gene from chemicals. ✓
  3. They discovered a new planet.
  4. They found a treasure chest.

Answer: They made a whole working gene from chemicals.

From page 7

What new science did Khorana's work help start?

Choices

  1. Space travel.
  2. Genetic engineering. ✓
  3. Learning about dinosaurs.
  4. Building skyscrapers.

Answer: Genetic engineering.

From page 8

What is an example of a good thing that came from Khorana's work with DNA?

Choices

  1. Making cars that fly.
  2. Creating human insulin and growth hormone with special bacteria. ✓
  3. Building houses out of water.
  4. Inventing a new kind of candy.

Answer: Creating human insulin and growth hormone with special bacteria.

From page 9

What did Har Gobind Khorana win in 1968 for his important work?

Choices

  1. A golden trophy for sports.
  2. The Nobel Prize. ✓
  3. A trip around the world.
  4. A new bicycle.

Answer: The Nobel Prize.

From page 10