Scientist Spotlight
(T/F) George Beadle was originally a biochemist while Edward Tatum studied plant genetics
False!!
(Beadle was a plant geneticist; Tatum was a biochemist)
(T/F) Beadle and Tatum wanted to see if genes control chemical reactions in living cells.
True
(T/F) Neurospora crassa was chosen because it had very complex nutritional needs.
False
(It was chosen because it grows quickly and has simple nutritional needs)
(T/F) Each gene controls multiple enzymes in a pathway.
False
(Each gene controls one enzyme)
(T/F) Beadle and Tatum’s work was irrelevant to medicine and only impacted biochemistry.
False.
Where did Beadle and Tatum meet and begin their collaboration?
A) Harvard University
B) Stanford University
C) MIT
D) Yale University
B) Stanford University
Why did previous genetic studies make it hard to understand the function of individual genes?
A) They focused on visible traits with complex pathways
B) They did not use mold
C) They only studied proteins
D) They avoided mutations
A) They focused on visible traits with complex pathways
What did Beadle and Tatum use to induce mutations in Neurospora spores?
A) Ultraviolet light
B) Gamma rays
C) X-rays
D) Chemical mutagens
C) X-rays
The “one gene-one enzyme” hypothesis eventually evolved into the modern understanding that:
A) One gene controls several polypeptides
B) One gene codes for one polypeptide
C) Enzymes create genes
D) Genes are unrelated to proteins
B) One gene codes for one polypeptide
Which of the following was a long-term impact of their research?
A) Discovery of DNA structure
B) Foundation for molecular biology and biotechnology
C) Creation of the microscope
D) Invention of X-rays
B) Foundation for molecular biology and biotechnology
Why was the combination of Beadle’s and Tatum’s field backgrounds significant for their research?
Their backgrounds combined genetics and biochemistry, allowing them to connect genes to chemical reactions inside cells --> a link not previously studied.
Explain why Beadle and Tatum decided to create mutations in specific genes.
To see which chemical reactions would stop working, revealing which genes controlled which enzymes and biochemical pathways.
Describe the step-by-step process Beadle and Tatum used to determine which gene was mutated in a Neurospora strain. (HINT 5 STEPS!!)
1) Mutate spores with X-rays
2) Grow mutants
3) Identify mutants that fail to grow
4) Add single nutrients one at a time
5) See which nutrient restores growth to identify the blocked pathway.
How did Beadle and Tatum’s findings shift the focus of genetics research?
It shifted genetics from studying only visible traits to studying the molecular basis of life, showing that genes control biochemical reactions and protein production.
Name at least two ways Beadle and Tatum’s work has influenced modern science and medicine.
Understanding genetic diseases, developing new medicines, contributing to molecular biology, understanding metabolic pathways, aiding genetic engineering research.