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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2:02 minutes

Problem 7

Textbook Question

Does the design of the Hershey–Chase experiment distinguish between DNA and RNA as the molecule serving as the genetic material? Why or why not?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the context of the Hershey–Chase experiment: It was conducted in 1952 by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase to determine whether DNA or protein was the genetic material in phages.

Recognize the experimental design: They used bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and labeled DNA with radioactive phosphorus-32 (\(^{32}\text{P}\)) and protein with radioactive sulfur-35 (\(^{35}\text{S}\)).

Identify the key distinction: DNA contains phosphorus but not sulfur, while proteins contain sulfur but not phosphorus. This labeling allowed them to track which molecule entered the bacterial cells.

Analyze the results: After allowing the phages to infect bacteria, they found that \(^{32}\text{P}\) (DNA) entered the bacterial cells, while \(^{35}\text{S}\) (protein) did not, indicating that DNA is the genetic material.

Consider the limitation: The experiment specifically distinguished between DNA and protein, not RNA, as RNA was not labeled or considered in this experiment.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Hershey-Chase Experiment

The Hershey-Chase experiment, conducted in 1952, used bacteriophages to determine whether DNA or protein was the genetic material. By labeling DNA with radioactive phosphorus and proteins with sulfur, they demonstrated that only the DNA entered bacterial cells, thus confirming DNA as the genetic material in these viruses.

DNA vs. RNA

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) are both nucleic acids but differ in structure and function. DNA is double-stranded and contains deoxyribose sugar, while RNA is usually single-stranded and contains ribose sugar. This structural difference is crucial in understanding their roles in genetics and molecular biology.

Genetic Material

Genetic material refers to the molecules that carry genetic information necessary for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. In most organisms, DNA serves this role, while RNA can also function as genetic material in some viruses. The distinction between DNA and RNA is essential for understanding the mechanisms of heredity and gene expression.

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Contrast the contributions made to an understanding of transformation by Griffith and by Avery and his colleagues.

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When Avery and his colleagues had obtained what was concluded to be the transforming factor from the IIIS virulent cells, they treated the fraction with proteases, RNase, and DNase, followed in each case by the assay for retention or loss of transforming ability. What were the purpose and results of these experiments? What conclusions were drawn?

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Given the state of knowledge at the time of the Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty experiment, why was it difficult for some scientists to accept that DNA is the carrier of genetic information?

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Why were ³²P and ³⁵S chosen for use in the Hershey–Chase experiment? Discuss the rationale and conclusions of this experiment.

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What observations are consistent with the conclusion that DNA serves as the genetic material in eukaryotes? List and discuss them.

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What are the exceptions to the general rule that DNA is the genetic material in all organisms? What evidence supports these exceptions?