Why was it believed in the past that the genetic material was either DNA or protein? why did no one think that carbohydrates or lipids were the genetic material? Why all the research and theories were to compare DNA and protein only?
The question in another way, what distinguishes carbohydrates and lipids to keep them out of the picture?
In the past, DNA and proteins were believed to be the genetic material due to their complexity and abundance in living organisms, and early experiments, such as the Avery-MacLeod-McCarty experiment, suggested that DNA carried genetic information. Carbohydrates were mainly seen as a source of energy and lacked the complexity required for genetic information storage, while lipids were primarily associated with cell membranes and energy reserves. The central dogma of molecular biology, emphasizing DNA's role in genetic processes, further focused research on DNA and proteins. Subsequent experiments, like the Hershey-Chase experiment, confirmed DNA as the primary genetic material, solidifying its status in genetic research.
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