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