In the experiments conducted by Avery, McCarty, and MacLeod, which one of the following hypothetical results would indicate that protein, not nucleic acid, was Griffith's transforming principle?
A)None of the extracts from heat-killed cells is able to transform nonvirulent bacteria.
B)All of the extracts from heat-killed cells are able to transform nonvirulent bacteria.
C)Only the extracts from heat-killed cells treated with RNase are unable to transform nonvirulent bacteria.
D)Only the extracts from heat-killed cells treated with DNase are unable to transform nonvirulent bacteria.
E)Only the extracts from heat-killed cells treated with protease are unable to transform nonvirulent bacteria.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is E because if only the extracts treated with protease (an enzyme that breaks down proteins) were unable to transform nonvirulent bacteria, it would indicate that proteins were essential for the transformation process, suggesting that protein, not nucleic acid, was the transforming principle.

In the Experiments Conducted by Avery, McCarty, and MacLeod, Which