Question

In an experiment like that of the 1952 Hershey and Chase experiments, 35S was added to a phage replicating within its bacterial host. The new phage particles were carefully isolated and used to infect fresh bacterial cells in the absence of any radioisotopes. Where would you expect to find the 35S radioisotope immediately after infection?

A) in the phage ghosts outside the bacterial cells
B) incorporated into the bacterial matrix proteins
C) incorporated into the bacterial DNA
D) inside the bacterial cells, but separate from the bacterial DNA
E) inside the bacterial cells, but separate from the bacterial proteins

Answer 1

In an experiment like that of the 1952 Hershey and Chase experiments, the 35S radioisotope would be expected to be found in the phage ghosts outside the bacterial cells. Therefore, the correct option is A

Step-by-step explanation:

In an experiment like that of the 1952 Hershey and Chase experiments, 35S was added to a phage replicating within its bacterial host. After the phage particles were isolated and used to infect fresh bacterial cells, the 35S radioisotope would be expected to be found in the phage ghosts outside the bacterial cells. This is because the 35S labels the protein coat of the phage, and the radioactively labeled phage would remain separate from the bacterial cells.