Question

The idea that a single gene coded for a polypeptide rather than an enzyme was evident from the

• A. use of X-rays to make nutritional mutants in bread mold
• B. transformation of bacteria from rough and non-virulent to smooth and virulent
• C. presence of a mutation in one chain of hemoglobin but not in the other
• D. discovery that mutated genes changed enzymes in a biochemical pathway

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

presence of a mutation in one chain of hemoglobin but not in the other

According to one gene-one polypeptide hypothesis, the information enclosed in one gene is sufficient to form one polypeptide only. Genes control the synthesis of all proteins. Some proteins are enzymes and some are hormones. As we know that proteins are made up of polypeptides- long chains of amino acids. Some proteins consist of two or more polypeptides linked and twisted around each other. For eg, hemoglobin.

So, the correct option is presence of a mutation in one chain of hemoglobin but not in other'.