In 1952, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase conducted an experiment about bacteriophage reproduction. They inserted a phosphorous isotope (32P) into the bacteriophages’ DNA, and a sulfur isotope (35S) into a protein in the bacteriophages’ capsids. Hershey and Chase then infected bacteria with the bacteriophages. After infection, they put the bacteria in a blender to separate the cells from the extracellular matter. They measured the percentage of isotopes that remained in the extracellular matter. The results are in the graph below.
Which statement about bacteriophage reproduction is supported by the results of this study?
A.
The sulfur isotopes entered the bacteria because they were attached to the bacteriophages’ genetic material.
B.
The phosphorous isotopes entered the bacteria because they were attached to the bacteriophages’ genetic material.
C.
The sulfur isotopes remained outside of the bacteria because they were attached to the bacteriophages’ genetic material.
D.
The phosphorous isotopes remained outside of the bacteria because they were attached to the bacteriophages’ genetic material.