In the Hershey-Chase experiments,_____ accumulated at a greater rate inside the bacterial cells,indicating that the bacteriophage that infected the bacteria had recently _____.
A)35S; inserted protein into the bacteria
B)35S; inserted DNA into the bacteria
C)35S; degraded protein in the bacteria
D)32P; inserted protein into the bacteria
E)32P; inserted DNA into the bacteria

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Hershey-Chase experiments showed that the bacteriophage that infected the bacteria had recently inserted DNA into the bacteria. This was because 35S, which is a radioactive isotope of sulfur, accumulated at a greater rate inside the bacterial cells. Sulfur is a component of DNA, but not of protein. Therefore, the accumulation of 35S inside the bacterial cells indicated that the bacteriophage had inserted DNA into the bacteria.

In the Hershey-Chase Experiments,_____ Accumulated at a Greater Rate Inside