Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA as the Genetic Material

Genetics

7. DNA and Chromosome Structure

DNA as the Genetic Material

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Multiple Choice

The results of the Hershey and Chase experiments suggested that DNA was the genetic material because:

radioactive sulfur was found inside infected bacterial cells, indicating protein entered the cells

the DNA and protein of the virus remained outside the bacterial cells after infection

both radioactive phosphorus and sulfur were equally found inside the bacterial cells

radioactive phosphorus was found inside infected bacterial cells, indicating DNA entered the cells

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Verified step by step guidance

Recall the purpose of the Hershey and Chase experiment: to determine whether DNA or protein is the genetic material that viruses inject into bacteria.

Understand the labeling method used: radioactive sulfur (\$^{35}S\$) labels proteins because sulfur is found in some amino acids but not in DNA, while radioactive phosphorus (\$^{32}P\$) labels DNA because phosphorus is present in the DNA backbone but not in proteins.

Analyze the experimental results: after allowing viruses to infect bacteria, the researchers separated the viral protein coats from the bacterial cells and checked where the radioactivity was found.

Interpret the findings: if radioactive phosphorus (DNA) is found inside the bacterial cells but radioactive sulfur (protein) remains outside, it suggests that DNA, not protein, enters the bacteria and carries genetic information.

Conclude that the presence of radioactive phosphorus inside infected bacterial cells supports the idea that DNA is the genetic material responsible for heredity.