In the 1940s, scientists thought all genetic material was contained in structures called chromosomes and that chromosomes had been found only in the nucleus of a cell (not in the cytoplasm!).

Question

Chromosomes are composed of 2 types of molecules, proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Proteins are composed of subunits called amino acids. DNA consists of chains of subunits called nucleotides. The parts of chromosomes that are responsible for the transmission of genetic information are called genes. Two scientists in the 1940s debate whether genes are made of proteins or DNA.

Protein Hypothesis

Genes are made only of proteins. Proteins make up 50% or more of a cell’s dry weight. Cells contain 20 different amino acids that can be arranged in a virtually infinite number of ways to make different proteins. The number and arrangement of different amino acids within a protein form the codes that contain hereditary information. In contrast, only 4 different nucleotides make up the DNA found in cells, and they are believed to form chains only in certain ratios. As a result, the number of different combinations that DNA can carry is much smaller than the number that proteins can carry.

DNA Hypothesis

Genes are made only of DNA. DNA is found exclusively in the cell’s nucleus, whereas proteins are found throughout the nucleus and cytoplasm. Additionally, the amount of protein in a cell varies from cell type to cell type, even within the same animal. Though DNA is less abundant than proteins, the amount is consistent from cell type to cell type within the same animal, except for the gametes (the reproductive cells). Gametes have half the amount of DNA as other cells in the body. Gametes also have half the typical number of chromosomes. Thus, the amount of DNA in a cell is correlated with the number of chromosomes in the cell. No such correlation is found for proteins.

Question 1
Which of the following statements is most consistent with the DNA Hypothesis? The amount of DNA will generally increase from cell type to cell type as the number of:(1 point)
Responses

chromosomes in the nucleus increases from cell type to cell type.
chromosomes in the nucleus increases from cell type to cell type.

amino acids in the cytoplasm increases from cell type to cell type.
amino acids in the cytoplasm increases from cell type to cell type.

amino acids in the nucleus increases from cell type to cell type.
amino acids in the nucleus increases from cell type to cell type.

chromosomes in the cytoplasm increases from cell type to cell type.
chromosomes in the cytoplasm increases from cell type to cell type.
Question 2
By referring to the observation that DNA is found exclusively in the nucleus while proteins are found throughout the cell, the scientist supporting the DNA Hypothesis implies that genes are made only of DNA because which of the following are also found only in the nucleus?(1 point)
Responses

Chromosomes
Chromosomes

Proteins
Proteins

Amino Acids
Amino Acids

Gametes
Gametes
Question 3
According to the Protein Hypothesis, which of the following observations provides the strongest evidence that genes are NOT composed of DNA ?(1 point)
Responses

DNA is abundant in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
DNA is abundant in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

DNA is composed of smaller subunits than are proteins.
DNA is composed of smaller subunits than are proteins.

DNA is composed of only 4 types of nucleotides.
DNA is composed of only 4 types of nucleotides.

The concentration of DNA is generally consistent from cell to cell.
The concentration of DNA is generally consistent from cell to cell.
Question 4
Mitochondria are organelles located in the cytoplasm that are responsible for energy transformation in a cell.After the1940s, it was observed that mitochondria contain their own genes. This observation contradicts evidence stated in which hypothesis?(1 point)
Responses

The DNA Hypothesis, because if genes are made of DNA, the observation would show that DNA is present outside the nucleus.
The DNA Hypothesis, because if genes are made of DNA, the observation would show that DNA is present outside the nucleus.

The Protein Hypothesis, because if genes are made of proteins, the observation would show that proteins are present inside the nucleus.
The Protein Hypothesis, because if genes are made of proteins, the observation would show that proteins are present inside the nucleus.

The Protein Hypothesis, because if genes are made of proteins, the observation would show that proteins are present outside the nucleus.
The Protein Hypothesis, because if genes are made of proteins, the observation would show that proteins are present outside the nucleus.

The DNA Hypothesis, because if genes are made of DNA, the observation would show that DNA is present inside the nucleus.
The DNA Hypothesis, because if genes are made of DNA, the observation would show that DNA is present inside the nucleus.
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Answer 1

Here are the responses to each of the questions based on the information provided in the context of the Protein Hypothesis and the DNA Hypothesis:

Question 1 Which of the following statements is most consistent with the DNA Hypothesis? The amount of DNA will generally increase from cell type to cell type as the number of:

• chromosomes in the nucleus increases from cell type to cell type.

Question 2 By referring to the observation that DNA is found exclusively in the nucleus while proteins are found throughout the cell, the scientist supporting the DNA Hypothesis implies that genes are made only of DNA because which of the following are also found only in the nucleus?

• Chromosomes

Question 3 According to the Protein Hypothesis, which of the following observations provides the strongest evidence that genes are NOT composed of DNA?

• DNA is composed of only 4 types of nucleotides.

Question 4 After the 1940s, it was observed that mitochondria contain their own genes. This observation contradicts evidence stated in which hypothesis?

• The DNA Hypothesis, because if genes are made of DNA, the observation would show that DNA is present outside the nucleus.

These responses reflect the debates and evidence presented for each hypothesis as outlined in the context.