Ribozyme was discovered by

Options

A. Altman et al
B. Cech et al
C. Lehninger
D. Buchner.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Ribozyme**:
- A ribozyme is a type of RNA that has the ability to catalyze biochemical reactions, similar to the way enzymes do. This means that ribozymes can facilitate reactions without being consumed in the process.

2. **Identifying the Discovery**:
- The question asks who discovered ribozymes. The term "ribozyme" was first introduced in scientific literature to describe these catalytic RNA molecules.

3. **Key Figures in Ribozyme Discovery**:
- The term "ribozyme" was coined by Carl Woese and his colleagues, but the significant discovery of the catalytic properties of RNA was made by Sidney Altman and Thomas Cech. They demonstrated that RNA can act as a catalyst.

4. **Nobel Prize Recognition**:
- In 1989, Sidney Altman and Thomas Cech were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on ribozymes, which confirmed the catalytic function of RNA.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Ribozyme was discovered by" is **Sidney Altman and Thomas Cech**.