Miescher

Definition

Miescher was a Swiss physician and biochemist who discovered nucleic acids in 1869. His work laid the foundation for understanding the molecular basis of heredity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Miescher isolated a substance from pus cells, which he called 'nuclein', now known as DNA.
2. His discovery demonstrated that nucleic acids are distinct from proteins.
3. Miescher's research suggested that the nucleus contained important biochemical materials related to heredity.
4. He used salmon sperm and pus cells as sources for his experiments to isolate nuclein.
5. Despite his significant discoveries, Miescher's work was not fully appreciated until decades later when the role of DNA in genetics became clear.

Related terms

Nuclein:

The original term used by Miescher to describe what is now known as DNA.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that carries genetic information in living organisms.

Nucleus:

The membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains most of the cell's genetic material.