Final answer:
Fraenkal-Conrat and Singer found that the tobacco-mosaic virus affects its genetic material, demonstrating the role of RNA in viral reproduction. This virus, which causes diseases in plants, can lead to significant agricultural losses, affecting humans indirectly by threatening food supply and economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In experiments involving the tobacco-mosaic virus, Fraenkal-Conrat and Singer discovered that it affects the genetic material of the virus. Specifically, they demonstrated that RNA, the virus's genetic material, carries the genetic information necessary for the creation of new virus particles. Their groundbreaking work showed that when the RNA from one strain of TMV was combined with the protein coat of another, the new virus particles produced were characteristic of the RNA strain, not the protein strain, thus highlighting the role of RNA in viral genetics.
While plant viruses like the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) cannot infect humans, they still have significant implications for human society. TMV causes disease in tobacco and other plants, leading to crop losses, which can impact food supply and agricultural economies. The virus infects plants by entering through mechanical damage and can be spread by various vectors, including insects, nematodes, and contaminated tools.
Understanding how viruses like TMV operate helps us manage and prevent the spread of plant diseases, thus protecting our food resources and economic interests. Additionally, the study of TMV and other plant viruses provides valuable insights into the fundamental processes of viral infection and replication, which is important for virology as a whole.