Harry Noller's experiments in which he extracted the ribosomal proteins and found that RNA molecules could catalyze protein synthesis had one major flaw. What was the flaw?
A) The extraction process may have altered the RNA molecules.
B) Protein synthesis may have occurred prior to extraction.
C) Coenzymes, which were not extracted, might have been responsible for the reaction.
D) The extraction process may have altered the pH of the environment.
E) Undetectable amounts of protein may have remained.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Harry Noller's experiments were groundbreaking in suggesting that RNA molecules could catalyze protein synthesis. However, a major flaw was the possibility that undetectable amounts of protein might have remained even after the extraction process. This meant that it couldn't be definitively concluded that RNA alone was responsible for the catalysis observed, as residual proteins could have contributed to the reaction.

Harry Noller's Experiments in Which He Extracted the Ribosomal Proteins