Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given :If the DNA of a...
- Bacteria which were infected with viruses that had radioactive DNA (incorporated with 32P) were radioactive, indicating that DNA was the material that passed from the virus to the bacteria.
- Bacteria that were infected with viruses that had radioactive proteins (incorporated with 35S) were not radioactive. DNA is therefore, the genetic material that is passesd from virus to bacteria.
Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given :If the DNA of a...
Explanation:
In transduction, a virus (bacteriophage) transfers genetic material from one bacterium to another. This transfer can occur in two ways: generalized transduction and specialized transduction.
In generalized transduction, a bacteriophage packages random fragments of bacterial DNA into its capsid instead of its own DNA. When this bacteriophage infects another bacterium, it injects this packaged bacterial DNA into the recipient cell. As a result, the recipient cell receives a fragment of the bacterial DNA from the donor cell.
In specialized transduction, a bacteriophage integrates its DNA into the bacterial chromosome. During excision, the bacteriophage may also excise a portion of the bacterial DNA adjacent to its integrated DNA. When this bacteriophage infects another bacterium, it injects its own DNA along with the excised bacterial DNA into the recipient cell. As a result, the recipient cell receives both the viral DNA and a fragment of the bacterial DNA from the donor cell.
Labeling of DNA and Protein:
In the given scenario, the DNA of the virus is labeled with 32P, a radioactive isotope of phosphorus, while the protein of the virus is labeled with 35S, a radioactive isotope of sulfur.
Presence of Molecules inside Bacterial Cells:
Based on the information provided, after transduction, the labeled molecules inside the bacterial cells can be determined as follows:
- 32P (labeled DNA): The labeled DNA of the virus can be transferred to the bacterial cells during transduction. Therefore, the presence of 32P inside the bacterial cells is expected.
- 35S (labeled protein): The labeled protein of the virus is not directly involved in the transfer of genetic material during transduction. Therefore, the presence of 35S inside the bacterial cells is not expected.
Hence, the correct answer is option 'A' - 32P only.