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(a) Why did Hershey and Chase use radioactive ^{32}P and ^{35}S in their experiments? Explain.

(b) Following the experiments conducted by them, write what conclusion did they arrive at and how.

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Answers (1)

a)Hershey and Chase grew some viruses on a medium that contained radioactive phosphorus and some others on a medium that contained radioactive sulfur. Viruses grown in the presence of radioactive phosphorus contained radioactive DNA but not radioactive protein because DNA contains phosphorus but protein does not. Similarly, viruses grown on radioactive sulfur contained radioactive protein but not radioactive DNA because DNA does not contain sulfur. Radioactive phages were allowed to attach to E. coli bacteria.

Then, as the infection proceeded, the viral coats were removed from the bacteria by agitating them in a blender. The virus particles were separated from the bacteria by spinning them in a centrifuge

b) Bacteria which was infected with viruses that had radioactive DNA were radioactive, indicating that DNA was the material that passed from the virus to the bacteria. Bacteria that were infected with viruses that had radioactive proteins were not radioactive.

This indicates that proteins did not enter the bacteria from the viruses. DNA is, therefore, the genetic material that is passed from virus to bacteria was concluded by Hershey and Chase.

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Priyanka Kumari

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