Question

In the Hershey-Chase experiment, the material that entered cells upon infection by T2 virus was labeled with which radioactive isotope?

Answer 1

The correct answer is- Radioactive phosphorus 32

Step-by-step explanation:

Harshey and chase labeled the T2 bacteriophage capsid with radioactive sulfur 35 and DNA of T2 bacteriophage with radioactive phosphorus 32. After infecting E.coli with the T2 bacteriophage it was seen that radioactive phosphorus was found inside the cell, not radioactive sulfur.

As phosphorus is found prominently in DNA, not protein, therefore, it was concluded that DNA is the genetic material that passed from T2 phage to bacteria, not protein.

Therefore the material that entered E.coli upon T2 bacteriophage infection was DNA which was labeled with a radioactive isotope of phosphorus.

Answer 2

The Hershey–Chase experiment was based on a bacteriophage T2 (a virus), to that DNA is the genetic material. Bacteriophage T2 attacks bacterium and makes its copies. Based on the experiment, Hershey and Chase deduced that it is the DNA of virus enters bacteria to make virus copies. To trace viral DNA, Hershey and Chase label DNA with ³²P (radioisotope of phosphorus) because phosphorus is not present in most of the proteins.