The results of the experiments of Avery and his colleagues indicate that
A) proteins are antigens.
B) proteins transfer genetic information.
C) capsule formation is mediated by RNA.
D) DNA is the transforming material.
E) DNA replication is semiconservative.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The experiments by Avery and co-workers showed that DNA is the transforming material. When they removed DNA from a virulent strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae, it lost its ability to transform a non-virulent strain into a virulent one. When the DNA was added back to the non-virulent strain, it regained its virulence. This demonstrated that DNA carries and transfers genetic information, and can cause a change in phenotype.

The Results of the Experiments of Avery and His Colleagues