Problem 102 - Objective Biology for NEET

Question

Who showed that virus can be crystallized out? (a) Ivanowsky (b) Beijerinck (c) Stanley (d) Pasteur

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The correct answer is (c) Stanley.

Step 1: Analyze the options

Ivanowsky and Beijerinck are both known for their work on viruses, but they did not show that viruses can crystallize. Pasteur is famous for his ground-breaking work in vaccination, microbiology, and pasteurization, but the crystallization of viruses is not among his contributions.

Step 2: Identify the correct answer

The correct answer is Stanley. Wendell Meredith Stanley is an American biochemist, virologist and Nobel laureate. He showed that viruses can be crystallized, making them the first life-forms to be able to do so.

Key Concepts

Wendell Meredith Stanley

Wendell Meredith Stanley made an incredible discovery in the field of virology and biochemistry. He was a pioneering American biochemist who made significant contributions to our understanding of viruses. One of his most groundbreaking accomplishments came in 1935 when he successfully crystallized the tobacco mosaic virus. This was the first time that a virus had been crystallized, proving that viruses were more like chemical substances than living organisms.
This discovery opened the door to new ways of studying viruses and analyzing their structures. Through crystallization, scientists could now visualize and understand the molecular composition of viruses.
Wendell Meredith Stanley’s work did not go unnoticed. His efforts earned him a share of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946, recognizing his role in advancing the study of viruses and laying the groundwork for virology as a scientific discipline.

Virology

Virology is the scientific study of viruses - tiny infectious agents that replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. Understanding virology is essential for comprehending how viruses function and spread. This field of science covers various aspects:

• Understanding the viral life cycle, including how viruses infect host cells and replicate.
• Examining how viral diseases affect both humans and animals.
• Developing vaccines and antiviral drugs to combat viral infections.

Wendell Meredith Stanley's work provided significant insights into the structure of viruses and changed how scientists perceived these infectious particles. Before his research, viruses were often considered to be vague entities. However, the crystallization of viruses showed they have organized structures similar to molecules rather than living organisms, which changed the direction of research and treatment methods in virology.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry focuses on chemical processes within and related to living organisms. It is a laboratory-based science that combines biology and chemistry, using chemical knowledge and techniques to help understand and solve biological problems. Biochemistry has many applications, such as in medicine, nutrition, and forensic science.
Wendell Meredith Stanley's work intersected biochemistry and virology, showcasing how biochemical techniques could be used to study viruses. The crystallization of viruses represented an innovative approach, employing biochemical methods to better understand the structure and composition of viruses.
This synergy between biochemistry and virus study allowed scientists to delve deeper into the molecular makeup of viruses, ultimately contributing to the development of antiviral drugs and treatments. Stanley's pioneering work laid the groundwork for future biochemistry research, expanding our knowledge of crucial viral components and their role in diseases.