The Hershey and Chase experiment was able to conclusively demonstrate that DNA,not protein,was the genetic material.They were able to distinguish DNA from protein since labeled _____ incorporated into DNA while labeled _____ incorporated into proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hershey and Chase experiment used labeled bacteriophages to infect bacteria. The bacteriophages were labeled with radioactive isotopes of either sulfur or phosphorous. Sulfur is found in proteins but not in nucleic acids, while phosphorous is found in DNA but not in proteins. When the bacteriophages infected the bacteria, the radioactive phosphorous was incorporated into the DNA of the bacteriophage, while the radioactive sulfur was not. This allowed Hershey and Chase to conclude that DNA, not protein, was the genetic material.

The Hershey and Chase Experiment Was Able to Conclusively Demonstrate