The Hershey-Chase experiment with viruses led to the conclusion that DNA is the material of inheritance by showing that
A) the virus injects only DNA into bacteria.
B) the protein surrounding the bacteria is made of nucleic acids.
C) viruses are unable to infect bacteria without DNA.
D) radioactive phosphorus killed the bacteria but radioactive sulfur did not.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hershey-Chase experiment used radioactive isotopes to label either the protein or DNA of viruses that infect bacteria. They found that only the DNA and not the protein was taken up by the bacteria, indicating that DNA was the genetic material being passed from virus to host, not protein. Therefore, the experiment showed that the virus injects only DNA into bacteria.

The Hershey-Chase Experiment with Viruses Led to the Conclusion That