In his work with pneumonia-causing bacteria and mice, Griffith found that
A) the protein coat from pathogenic cells was able to transform nonpathogenic cells.
B) heat-killed pathogenic cells caused pneumonia.
C) some substance from pathogenic cells was transferred to nonpathogenic cells, making them pathogenic.
D) the polysaccharide coat of bacteria caused pneumonia.
E) bacteriophages injected DNA into bacteria.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Griffith discovered that when he mixed heat-killed pathogenic bacteria with live nonpathogenic bacteria, the nonpathogenic bacteria became pathogenic. This suggested that the pathogenic bacteria must have transferred some substance to the nonpathogenic bacteria, causing them to become pathogenic. This transfer of genetic material is now known as transformation.

In His Work with Pneumonia-Causing Bacteria and Mice, Griffith Found