Extracts of pathogenic bacteria can transform harmless bacteria to harmful bacteria unless ____ enzymes are added to the extract.
A) protein transfer
B) mRNA-degrading
C) tRNA-degrading
D) DNA-degrading
E) nucleic transfer

Question

Extracts of pathogenic bacteria can transform harmless bacteria to harmful bacteria unless ____ enzymes are added to the extract.  
A) protein transfer
B) mRNA-degrading
C) tRNA-degrading
D) DNA-degrading
E) nucleic transfer

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since pathogenic bacteria are known to transfer harmful genes to harmless ones via DNA, the extract of pathogenic bacteria is likely to contain DNA responsible for the transformation. Therefore, the addition of DNA-degrading enzymes is necessary to prevent the transformation of harmless bacteria into pathogenic bacteria. Protein transfer, mRNA-degrading, tRNA-degrading, and nucleic transfer are not likely to be effective in preventing the transformation, as they do not target the DNA responsible for the transfer of pathogenic genes.

Extracts of Pathogenic Bacteria Can Transform Harmless Bacteria to Harmful