Question

using this protocol, what should the researchers have seen in terms of the distribution of radioactivity in the centrifuged sample? a. no radioactivity in the pellet b. 32p in the pellet, 35s in the solution c. an equal amount of 35s and 32p in the pellet and the solution d. 35s in the pellet, 32p in the solution e. no radioactivity in the solution

Answer 1

In the Hershey and Chase experiment, researchers should have seen 32P in the pellet, associated with bacterial cells, and 35S in the supernatant, associated with phage particles, confirming DNA as the genetic material.

Step-by-step explanation:

The researchers using the protocol mentioned should have seen 32P in the pellet and 35S in the supernatant when examining the distribution of radioactivity in the centrifuged sample. The experiment carried out by Hershey and Chase involved infecting phages with 32P-labeled DNA and 35S-labeled proteins. After centrifugation, the pellet which contained the bacterial cells showed radioactivity from 32P, indicating that DNA was the genetic material injected by the phage into the bacteria. In contrast, the supernatant contained the lighter phage particles labeled with 35S, confirming that proteins remain outside the bacterial cell.