7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA as the Genetic Material

Open Question
Hershey and Chase selected the bacteriophage T2 for their experiment assessing the role of DNA in heredity because T2 contains protein and DNA, but not RNA. Explain why T2 was a good choice for this experiment.
Multiple Choice
The tetranucleotide hypothesis stated what?
Multiple Choice
The Avery, Macleod, and McCarty experiment in 1944 figured out what?
Multiple Choice
The Hershey/Chase experiments in 1952 use bacteriophages to study what?
Open Question
What results from the experiments of Frederick Griffith provided the strongest support for his conclusion that a transformation factor is responsible for heredity?
Open Question
In this chapter, we first focused on the information that showed DNA to be the genetic material and then discussed the structure of DNA as proposed by Watson and Crick. We concluded the chapter by describing various techniques developed to study DNA. Along the way, we found many opportunities to consider the methods and reasoning by which much of this information was acquired. From the explanations given in the chapter, what answers would you propose to the following fundamental questions:How do we know that DNA also serves as the genetic material in eukaryotes such as humans?
Open Question
In this chapter, we first focused on the information that showed DNA to be the genetic material and then discussed the structure of DNA as proposed by Watson and Crick. We concluded the chapter by describing various techniques developed to study DNA. Along the way, we found many opportunities to consider the methods and reasoning by which much of this information was acquired. From the explanations given in the chapter, what answers would you propose to the following fundamental questions:How were scientists able to determine that DNA, and not some other molecule, serves as the genetic material in bacteria and bacteriophages?
Open Question
Explain why Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty's in vitro transformation experiment showed that DNA, but not RNA or protein, is the hereditary molecule.
Open Question
Discuss the reasons proteins were generally favored over DNA as the genetic material before 1940. What was the role of the tetranucleotide hypothesis in this controversy?
Open Question
Explain how the Hershey and Chase experiment identified DNA as the hereditary molecule.
Open Question
Contrast the contributions made to an understanding of transformation by Griffith and by Avery and his colleagues.