NEETZoologyMolecular Basis of Inheritance
Why were the bacteria infected with viruses that had radioactive protein not radioactive?
Options
- ABecause the viral coats were not removed from the bacteria
- BBecause proteins did not enter the bacteria from the viruses
- CBecause RNA entered the bacteria from the viruses
- DBecause the viruses were not grown on radioactive sulfur
Correct answer
B. Because proteins did not enter the bacteria from the viruses
Step-by-step solution
They grew some viruses on a medium that contained radioactive phosphorus and some others on a medium that contained radioactive sulfur. Viruses grown in the presence of radioactive phosphorus contained radioactive DNA but not radioactive protein because DNA contains phosphorus but protein does not. Similarly, viruses grown on radioactive sulfur contained radioactive protein but not radioactive DNA because DNA does not contain sulfur. Radioactive phages were allowed to attach to E. coli bacteria. Then, as the infect