Who first identified nucleic acids, and where were they discovered?
a. friedrich meischer discovered nucleic acids in blood cells.
b. phoebus levine discovered nucleic acids in plant cells.
c. james watson and francis crick discovered nucleic acids in dna.
d. gerardus johannes mulder discovered nucleic acids in bacterial cells.

The correct answer is option A, that is, Friedrich Meischer discovered nucleic acids in blood cells.

In 1869, Friedrich Miescher first determined what he termed as nuclein within the nuclei of the human white blood cells. DNA and proteins are the key components of the nucleus of the cell.  

Friedrich Miescher isolated DNA with associated proteins from the nucleus of the cell. He was the first to determine DNA as the distinct molecule. He is also best known for his imprecise tetranucleotide hypothesis of DNA.  

Friedrich Meischer is responsible for discovering nucleic acids in the blood cells.  

Further Explanation:

Nucleic acids refer to the biopolymers which are vital for all the known forms of life. The word nucleic acid is known to be the overall name for the RNA as well as DNA molecule. These are composed of nucleotides that are known to be the monomers consisting of 3 elements; 5 carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Nuclein was identified by a Swiss physician as well as a biologist. He was known to be the first scientist to isolate nucleic acid in the year 1869. He was given the task of identifying the composition of the white blood cells or lymphoid cells. These cells were not easy to extract from the lymph glands; however, they were found in high amounts in the pus. He collected the bandages and washed off the pus. He then carried his experiment and isolated a new molecule called nuclein from the cell nucleus. He explained that this molecule is made up of nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus.

Learn more:

Learn more about component of DNA

Learn more about base pairing

Learn more about RNA base pairing

Answer Details:

Grade: High School  

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Nucleic Acids

Keywords:  

DNA, RNA, nucleic acids, Friedrich Meischer, blood cells, white blood cell, lymphocytes, nuclein, oxygen, phosphorus, hydrogen, lymphoid cells, nitrogen.

the answer is g1