Question

Griffith’s data suggested that something from the dead virulent type S bacteria transformed the nonvirulent type R bacteria into virulent type S. The experiment of Avery, MacLeod & McCarty, which is depicted, identified DNA as Griffith’s "transforming principle." Based on this information, would you expect a mouse injected with the cocktails above to live or die?

Answer 1

A mouse injected with heat-killed type S-bacteria and R strain bacteria would die.

Step-by-step explanation:

The “transforming principle” proved by Avery, MacLeod & McCarty indicates that the DNA of an organism carries the hereditary material that can be transformed. Consequently, the genetic material of a bacteria can be modified with surrounding DNA. A dead type of S bacteria when conjugated with non-virulent R bacteria and injected to a mouse can mutate and kill the host. As the R strain bacteria takes some of the heat-killed S bacteria DNA that survived the heating process, it can mutate to the latter and generate a sugar-based shield that protects it from the host’s immune system.