Question

The term degeneracy was given by

• A. A. Kornberg
• B. Barbara McClintock
• C. Bernfield and Nirenberg
• D. Hershey and Chase

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

• Bernfield and Nirenberg were the first to coin the term degeneracy who showed that one single amino acids can be coded by more than one codons. For example glutamic acid is coded by GAA and GAG codons while leucine is coded by UUA, UUG, CUU, CUC, CUA, CUG.
  
• Hershey and Chase performed an experiment to confirm that DNA is the genetic material in many organisms except retroviruses.
  
• Kornberg discovered the mechanism in the biological synthesis of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) together with Severo Ochoa.
  
• Barbara McClintock laid her focus in maize cytogenetics. She studied the chromosomes and how they change shape during reproduction in maize.
  

So, the correct option is 'Bernfield and Nirenberg'.