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Bases Quote by Jacques Monod

“The fundamental biological variant is DNA. That is why Mendel's definition of the gene as the unvarying bearer of hereditary traits, its chemical identification by Avery (confirmed by Hershey), and the elucidation by Watson and Crick of the structural basis of its replicative invariance, are…” quote by Jacques Monod
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“The fundamental biological variant is DNA. That is why Mendel's definition of the gene as the unvarying bearer of hereditary traits, its chemical identification by Avery (confirmed by Hershey), and the elucidation by Watson and Crick of the structural basis of its replicative invariance, are without any doubt the most important discoveries ever made in biology. To this must be added the theory of natural selection, whose certainty and full significance were established only by those later theories.”

Jacques Monod

About This Quote

Source Book: The Molecular Biology of the Cell, 1977

DNA is the core hereditary molecule; understanding its structure and replication underpins modern biology and evolution theory.

In simple terms: DNA is the key genetic material.

Key Takeaway

Recognize DNA's central role in biology.

Themes

genetics evolution molecular biology

Mood

analytical curious

Type

scientific educational

When to use this quote

  • research labs
  • education
  • medical genetics
  • evolutionary studies

Key Concepts

heredity structure replication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does DNA influence phenotype?
  • What limits does DNA have in explaining traits?
A Different Perspective

DNA is only one part of complex biological systems.

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