UPSC Prelims 2001 Q133: Science & Technology – Science & Technology History
Match List I with List II
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I (Achievement in genetics)
I. Discovery of transduction and conjugation in bacteria
II. Establishing the sex - linked inheritance
III. Isolation of DNA polymerase from E. coli
IV. Establishing the complete genetic code
List II (Scientists)
A) Khurana
B) Kornberg
C) Lederberg
D) Morgan
E) Ochoa
- (a) I - D, II - C, III - B, IV - A
- (b) I - C, II - D, III - A, IV - E
- (c) I - D, II - C, III - A, IV - E
- (d) I - C, II - D, III - B, IV - A
Answer: (d) I - C, II - D, III - B, IV - A
Explanation
Matching achievements in genetics with scientists
| Achievement (List I) | Scientist (List II) |
|---|---|
| I. Transduction and conjugation in bacteria | C. Joshua Lederberg (Nobel 1958) |
| II. Sex-linked inheritance | D. Thomas Hunt Morgan (fruit fly, Nobel 1933) |
| III. Isolation of DNA polymerase from E. coli | B. Arthur Kornberg (Nobel 1959) |
| IV. Complete genetic code | A. Har Gobind Khorana (Nobel 1968, with Nirenberg and Holley) |
Lederberg found conjugation and transduction in bacteria, Morgan showed sex-linked inheritance in Drosophila, Kornberg isolated DNA polymerase, and Khorana completed the genetic code. Ochoa (item E) shared the 1959 Nobel for RNA synthesis and is not matched.
Answer: (d) I - C, II - D, III - B, IV - A.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Lederberg and Morgan are swapped.
- (b) Incorrect. Kornberg, not Khorana, isolated DNA polymerase.
- (c) Incorrect. Lederberg and Morgan are swapped, and Kornberg is left out.
- (d) CORRECT. Lederberg, Morgan, Kornberg, Khorana.
Key point
Har Gobind Khorana was born in Raipur (now in Pakistan); he also made the first artificial gene (1970s).
Remember
Khorana — genetic code; Kornberg — DNA polymerase; Morgan — sex linkage.
Common mistakes
- Giving DNA polymerase to Khorana.
- Swapping Morgan and Lederberg.
- Choosing Ochoa for the genetic code.
Exam tip
Morgan = fruit flies and sex linkage — the surest pair.
Sources
- NCERT Class XII — Biology, chapters 'Principles of Inheritance and Variation' and 'Molecular Basis of Inheritance'
- Nobel Prize — Physiology or Medicine 1933, 1958, 1959 and 1968 (nobelprize.org)