The Question is from neet-botany , and it was created by the author D VINOD

Question

The Hershey-Chase experiment provided definitive evidence that DNA is the genetic material. Which of the following best describes their experimental approach?

D VINOD · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: C
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
	**Primary Concept**: Identifying the Genetic Material
	**Related Topics**: Bacteriophages, DNA, Protein, Radioactive Labeling
	**Prerequisites**: Basic understanding of viruses and genetic material.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
	The question asks about the Hershey-Chase experiment and its approach to proving DNA as the genetic material.
**Method & Steps**:
	1. **Understanding the Goal**: The Hershey-Chase experiment aimed to determine whether DNA or protein was the genetic material passed from a virus to a bacterium.
	2. **The Experiment**: Hershey and Chase used bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) labeled with radioactive isotopes. They labeled the phage DNA with radioactive phosphorus-32 ($^{32}P$) and the phage protein with radioactive sulfur-35 ($^{35}S$).  Phosphorus is found in DNA but not in most proteins, while sulfur is found in proteins but not in DNA.
	3. **Infection and Separation**: The labeled phages were allowed to infect bacteria.  After infection, the phage ghosts (protein coats) were separated from the infected bacteria using a blender and centrifugation. 
	4. **Analyzing the Results**: They then measured the radioactivity in the bacteria and the phage ghosts.  They found that the $^{32}P$ (DNA label) was primarily in the bacteria, while the $^{35}S$ (protein label) was primarily in the phage ghosts. 
	Result: This demonstrated that DNA, not protein, entered the bacteria and was therefore the genetic material responsible for directing the production of new phages.
## OPTION ANALYSIS
[A] :x: Bacterial transformation involves the uptake of naked DNA from the environment, not the transfer of DNA via a virus. Hershey-Chase used bacteriophages.
[B] :x: Analyzing the chemical composition of chromosomes would not definitively prove that DNA, and not protein, is the genetic material.  While chromosomes contain DNA, they also contain proteins.
[C] ✓: This accurately describes the Hershey-Chase experiment. They used radioactively labeled phage DNA and protein to track their fate during infection.
[D] :x: Studying the inheritance patterns of mutant bacteria would provide information about gene function and inheritance but wouldn't directly identify the chemical nature of the genetic material.
## LEARNING AIDS
	**Common Mistakes**:
		1. Confusing bacterial transformation with viral infection: Remember that transformation involves naked DNA uptake, while Hershey-Chase used phages.
		2. Thinking protein is the genetic material: The Hershey-Chase experiment definitively proved DNA to be the genetic material.
	**Quick Tips**:
		1. Remember the isotopes: Phosphorus-32 for DNA and Sulfur-35 for protein.
		2. Visualize the experiment: Imagine the labeled phages injecting their DNA into the bacteria.

D VINOD · Answer

Observing bacterial transformation using purified protein extracts

D VINOD · Answer

Analyzing the chemical composition of chromosomes

D VINOD · Answer

The correct Option is "Radioactively labeling phage DNA and protein to track their fate during infection"

D VINOD · Answer

Studying the inheritance patterns of mutant bacteria

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