If the protein coat of a virus that infects a bacterium is labeled with radioactive sulfur while the DNA of the virus is labeled with radioactive phosphorus, over time
A) both the sulfur and the phosphorus will be found within the bacterium.
B) only the sulfur will be found inside the bacterium.
C) only the phosphorus will be found inside the bacterium.
D) both the sulfur and the phosphorus will be found outside the bacterium.
E) the radioactivity of the sulfur and phosphorus will decay very quickly and not be detectable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the virus infects the bacterium, only the viral DNA will enter the host cell, not the protein coat. Therefore, only the radioactive phosphorus, which is in the DNA, will be found inside the bacterium. The radioactive sulfur in the protein coat will remain outside the bacterium.

If the Protein Coat of a Virus That Infects a Bacterium