Who proposed that the genetic code for amino acids should be made up of three nucleotides?

The correct answer is George Gamow

Explanation:

• The genetic code refers to the set of rules by which information encoded in DNA or RNA is translated into proteins, the functional molecules in cells.
• Proteins are composed of amino acids, and the sequence of amino acids is determined by the sequence of nucleotides in the genetic material.
• The concept of the genetic code being made up of three nucleotides, known as codons, was first proposed by George Gamow, a physicist.

George Gamow:

• George Gamow proposed the idea of the triplet code in 1954. He theorized that a combination of three nucleotides could encode one amino acid.
• He argued that there are only 4 bases and if they have to code for 20 amino acids, the code should constitute a combination of bases.
• He suggested that in order to code for all 20 amino acids, the code should be made up of three nucleotides. This was a very bold proposition, because a permutation combination of 4³ (4 × 4 × 4) would generate 64 codons; generating many more codons than required.

Other Options:

• Francis Crick: James Watson and Francis Crick are credited with discovering the double helix structure of DNA in 1953.
• Jacques Monod: Jacques Monod was a molecular biologist known for his work on gene regulation, particularly the lac operon in bacteria.
• Franklin Stahl: Franklin Stahl is known for his work on DNA replication, specifically the Meselson-Stahl experiment that demonstrated the semi-conservative mechanism of DNA replication.