In Griffith's experiments, when heat-killed S strain pneumococci were injected into a mouse along with live R strain pneumococci,
A) DNA from the live R was taken up by the heat-killed S, converting the latter to R and killing the mouse.
B) DNA from the heat-killed S was taken up by the live R, converting the latter to S and killing the mouse.
C) proteins released from the heat-killed S killed the mouse.
D) RNA from the heat-killed S was translated into proteins that killed the mouse.
E) there was no result.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The heat-killed S strain pneumococci were able to transfer genetic material (DNA) to the live R strain pneumococci, converting them to S strain and causing the mouse to die. This phenomenon is known as transformation and was the first evidence of genetic material being transferred between bacteria.

In Griffith's Experiments, When Heat-Killed S Strain Pneumococci Were Injected