Which of the following characteristics allowed Hershey and Chase to determine whether the genetic material was made of DNA or protein?
A) DNA contains sulfur, whereas protein does not.
B) DNA contains phosphorus, whereas protein does not.
C) DNA contains nitrogen, whereas protein does not.
D) DNA contains purines, whereas protein includes pyrimidines.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DNA contains phosphorus, which is a component of its phosphate backbone, while proteins do not contain phosphorus in their basic structure. Hershey and Chase used radioactive phosphorus to label DNA and radioactive sulfur to label proteins in their experiments, allowing them to track which of these molecules entered bacterial cells and carried genetic information.

Which of the Following Characteristics Allowed Hershey and Chase to Determine