Bartel's research group showed that an RNA replicase ribozyme could be created by ________.
A) carefully synthesizing a novel ribozyme monomer by monomer based on the sequence of known ribozymes
B) creating large numbers of random RNA segments and testing each one to see if any replicase activity was present
C) starting with random components and allowing selection to result in molecules that were better and better at replicating
D) examining protein replicases and reverse-engineering an RNA molecule capable of doing the same job

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bartel's research group used an evolutionary approach called in vitro selection (or SELEX) to create an RNA replicase ribozyme. They generated large numbers of random RNA segments and allowed selection to result in molecules that were better and better at replicating. This allowed for the identification of a ribozyme with the ability to self-replicate.

Bartel's Research Group Showed That an RNA Replicase Ribozyme Could