NEETZoologyMolecular Basis of Inheritance
What did Hershey and Chase use to determine the genetic material of bacteriophages?
Options
- ARadioactive sulfur
- BRadioactive phosphorus
- CRadioactive nitrogen
- DRadioactive oxygen
Correct answer
B. Radioactive phosphorus
Step-by-step solution
The unequivocal proof that DNA is the genetic material came from the experiments of Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase (1952). They worked with viruses that infect bacteria called bacteriophages. The bacteriophage attaches to the bacteria and its genetic material then enters the bacterial cell. The bacterial cell treats the viral genetic material as if it was its own and subsequently manufactures more virus particles. Hershey and Chase worked to discover whether it was protein or DNA from the viruses that entered the