Who discovered transposable elements (“jumping genes”) through maize genetics, earning a Nobel Prize?

Introduction / Context:Transposable elements reshape genomes by moving within and between DNA molecules. The foundational discovery came from plant genetics before molecular tools existed, demonstrating remarkable inference from phenotypic variegation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Discovery era: mid-20th century.
• Model organism: maize (corn).
• Recognition: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1983).

Concept / Approach:Barbara McClintock observed unstable genetic loci causing kernel color variegation, deducing the presence of mobile controlling elements that could insert/excise and regulate neighboring genes. Her work anticipated modern views of genome dynamics and regulation.

Step-by-Step Solution:Identify the scientist linked to “jumping genes”: Barbara McClintock.Associate with maize kernel color sectors as classical evidence.Confirm Nobel recognition for this discovery.

Verification / Alternative check:Later biochemical discovery of bacterial transposons and retrotransposons in eukaryotes validated her genetic predictions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Abelson: biophysicist/editor; not discoverer of transposons.
• Harvey: described blood circulation centuries earlier.
• Griffith: discovered transformation in pneumococcus.
• Lederberg: contributions to bacterial genetics, not the original transposon discovery.

Common Pitfalls:Confusing transformational discovery (Griffith) with transposition (McClintock).

Final Answer:Barbara McClintock