In the Hershey-Chase experiments, the radioactive tracers ³²P and ³⁵S were used to track DNA and protein, respectively, because _____. A) bacterial DNA contains sulfur and viral DNA contains phosphorus B) viral DNA contains sulfur and bacterial DNA contains phosphorus C) only DNA contains phosphorus and only protein contains sulfur D) DNA has more sulfur than protein and protein has more phosphorus than DNA E) protein has more sulfur than DNA and DNA has more phosphorus than protein

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Proteins contain sulfur in some amino acids (like cysteine and methionine), while DNA contains phosphorus in its backbone. The Hershey-Chase experiments used these elements to distinguish between proteins and DNA, showing that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material transferred to bacteria by viruses.

In the Hershey-Chase Experiments, the Radioactive Tracers 32P and 35S

In the Hershey-Chase Experiments, the Radioactive Tracers ³²P and ³⁵S