Table of contents

1. Introduction to Microbiology3h 22m
2. Disproving Spontaneous Generation1h 18m
3. Chemical Principles of Microbiology3h 38m
4. Water1h 28m
5. Molecules of Microbiology2h 23m
6. Cell Membrane & Transport3h 28m
7. Prokaryotic Cell Structures & Functions5h 52m
8. Eukaryotic Cell Structures & Functions2h 18m
9. Microscopes2h 46m
10. Dynamics of Microbial Growth4h 36m
11. Controlling Microbial Growth4h 10m
12. Microbial Metabolism5h 16m
13. Photosynthesis2h 31m
14. DNA Replication2h 25m
15. Central Dogma & Gene Regulation7h 14m
16. Microbial Genetics4h 44m
17. Biotechnology3h 0m
18. Viruses, Viroids, & Prions4h 56m
19. Innate Immunity7h 15m
20. Adaptive Immunity7h 14m
21. Principles of Disease6h 57m

14. DNA Replication

The Hershey-Chase Experiment

Microbiology

14. DNA Replication

The Hershey-Chase Experiment

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Multiple Choice

Hershey and Chase set out to determine what molecule served as the unit of inheritance. Which molecular component of the T2 virus actually ended up inside the cell?

The protein coat.

RNA.

Ribosome.

DNA.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the context of the Hershey and Chase experiment: They aimed to identify whether DNA or protein was the genetic material transferred by viruses to bacteria.

Recognize the components involved in the experiment: The T2 bacteriophage, which consists of a protein coat and DNA inside.

Learn about the experimental design: Hershey and Chase used radioactive isotopes to label the DNA and protein separately. Phosphorus-32 was used to label DNA, and Sulfur-35 was used to label the protein coat.

Analyze the results: After allowing the T2 virus to infect the bacteria, they found that the radioactive phosphorus (DNA) was inside the bacterial cells, while the radioactive sulfur (protein) remained outside.

Conclude the findings: The experiment demonstrated that DNA, not protein, is the molecule that carries genetic information into the bacterial cells, confirming DNA as the unit of inheritance.