The following questions refer to the figure above and to the Fred Griffith experiments involving Streptococcus pneumoniae.
-Extracts of pathogenic bacteria can transform harmless bacteria to harmful bacteria unless ____ enzymes are added to the extract.
A) protein-digesting
B) mRNA-digesting
C) tRNA-digesting
D) DNA-digesting
E) any of these

Question

The following questions refer to the figure above and to the Fred Griffith experiments involving Streptococcus pneumoniae.
-Extracts of pathogenic bacteria can transform harmless bacteria to harmful bacteria unless ____ enzymes are added to the extract.
A) protein-digesting 
B) mRNA-digesting 
C) tRNA-digesting 
D) DNA-digesting 
E) any of these

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The transformation of harmless bacteria to harmful bacteria can only occur if DNA-digesting enzymes are added to the extract. This is because the transforming substance must be DNA, which is the genetic material responsible for the transfer of traits from one organism to another. Protein-digesting, mRNA-digesting, and tRNA-digesting enzymes would not have any effect on the DNA in the extract, thus they would not prevent the transformation. Therefore, D is the correct choice.

The Following Questions Refer to the Figure Above and to the Fred