Becker's World of the Cell (9th Edition)
Becker's World of the Cell (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN: 9780321934925
Author: Jeff Hardin, Gregory Paul Bertoni
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 16, Problem 16.1CC

Based on what you know about protein and DNA, why did Hershey and Chase pick 32P and 35S to label their phage?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To explain: The reason for picking phosphorus 32P and sulfur 35S by Hersey and Chase to label their phage.

Introduction: Every organism in this world contains genetic material which passes from one generation to another. The genetic material decides the physical appearance and other factors of an organism.

Explanation of Solution

Hersey and Chase experimented to identify the molecule which is responsible for heredity. They took advantage of the fact that protein present in protein coat of T2 virus contains sulfur but not phosphorus, whereas DNA present in genetic material of T2 virus contains phosphorus but not sulfur.

Therefore, Hersey and Chase prepared two batches of phage particles with various radioactive labeling. They used radioactive phosphorus 32P to label phage protein and sulfur 35S to label the protein of T2 virus. When 35S labeled T2 virus was allowed to infect bacteria, their progeny did not carry any radioactivity in their DNA. When bacteria were allowed to infect by 32P labeled T2 viruses, the radioactivity in the DNA of new phage particles was detected.

Hersey and Chase experiment showed that DNA acts as genetic material which passes from one generation to another, not protein.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
What was the reason of Bacteriophage T2 experiment by Chase and Hershey? Did both radioactive proteins and polynucleotides got passed to viral progeny?
In an experiment, scientists grew bacteriophages in a culture with radioactive phosphorus (32P). The phages were then allowed to infect E. coli. a. The phages were then allowed to infect E. coli. Where was the 32P found after mixing with the E. coli?
Imagine that you are a student in Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase’s lab in the late 1940s. You are given five test tubes containing E. Coli bacteria infected with T2 bacteriophages that have been labeled with either 32P or 35S. Unfortunately, you forget to mark the tubes and are now uncertain about which tubes is which. You performed their blender experiment and got the following results. Which tube out of these 5 contains E. Coli infected with 32P-labeled phage? Explain your answer.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
What Is A Virus ? ; Author: Peekaboo Kidz;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS7vsBgWszI;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY