In the classic experiment conducted by Hershey and Chase,why was the pellet radioactive in the centrifuge tube that contained bacteria with viruses?
A) The bacteria were in the pellet, and they had incorporated radioactive proteins into their cell membranes.
B) The radioactive viruses (coats plus DNA) were in the pellet.
C) The bacteria were in the pellet, and many contained the radioactive viral DNA.
D) The radioactive protein coats of the viruses were in the pellet.
E) The radioactive viruses were in the pellet, and the bacteria were in the supernatant.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bacteria were in the pellet, and many contained the radioactive viral DNA. Hershey and Chase used radioactive phosphorus to label the DNA of viruses, which was then transferred to the bacteria during infection, indicating that DNA is the genetic material transferred by viruses to bacteria.

In the Classic Experiment Conducted by Hershey and Chase,why Was