Question

In reference to the Hershey-Chase experiment (1952), which one of the following statements is correct

a. The presence 35S within the bacteria indicated that DNA was the transforming agent
b. The presence of 32P within the bacteria indicted that DNA was the transforming agent
c. The presence of 35S within the phage "ghost" fraction indicated that DNA was the transforming agent
d. The presence of 32P within the phage "ghost" fraction indicated that DNA was the transforming agent

Answer 1

The correct statement is that the presence of 32P within the bacteria indicated that DNA was the transforming agent in the Hershey-Chase experiment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In reference to the Hershey-Chase experiment (1952), the correct statement is that the presence of 32P within the bacteria indicated that DNA was the transforming agent.

Hershey and Chase used radioactive isotopes to distinguish between DNA and proteins in bacteriophages that infected bacteria. They labeled one batch of phage with radioactive sulfur (35S), which labels protein, and another batch with radioactive phosphorus (32P), which labels DNA.

Their findings showed that only DNA, labeled with 32P, entered the bacterial cells, providing strong evidence that DNA is the genetic material responsible for heredity.