The Hershey-Chase experiment determined that
A) protein and DNA are the hereditary materials of viruses.
B) protein, not DNA, is the hereditary material of viruses.
C) viruses do not contain hereditary material.
D) DNA, not protein, is the hereditary material of viruses.
E) None of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hershey-Chase experiment involved using radioactive labeling to determine which component (protein or DNA) of a virus entered bacterial cells during infection. They found that only the DNA entered the bacteria and was responsible for heredity. Therefore, the experiment supported the idea that DNA, not protein, is the hereditary material of viruses.

The Hershey-Chase Experiment Determined That