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On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?
- a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)
- b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)
- c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)
- d)A medium containing potassium (K)
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Mart...
- Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase wanted to figure out whether it was the protein from the bacteriophage that was entering into the bacteria or if it was the DNA.
- So, they cultured the bacteriophage in a medium containing radioactive phosphorous.
- In this medium they observed that the radioactive DNA was present in the virus but not the radioactive protein.
- This is because, protein doesn’t contain phosphorous but on the contrary, the DNA does.
Most Upvoted Answer
On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Mart...
Background of Hershey and Chase Experiment
The Hershey-Chase experiment, conducted in 1952, was pivotal in demonstrating that DNA is the genetic material of viruses. This experiment primarily involved the use of T2 bacteriophage, a virus that infects bacteria.
Medium Used for Cultivation
In their experiment, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase used a specific medium for cultivating the viruses:
Significance of Using Radioactive Phosphorus
The use of radioactive phosphorus allowed Hershey and Chase to track the DNA's incorporation into the infected bacteria, establishing that it was indeed DNA that carried the genetic instructions necessary for the production of new viruses.
Conclusion
Thus, the correct answer to the question about the medium used in their experiment is indeed option 'C', a medium containing radioactive phosphorus (P), which was essential for identifying the genetic material of the virus.
The Hershey-Chase experiment, conducted in 1952, was pivotal in demonstrating that DNA is the genetic material of viruses. This experiment primarily involved the use of T2 bacteriophage, a virus that infects bacteria.
Medium Used for Cultivation
In their experiment, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase used a specific medium for cultivating the viruses:
- Radioactive Phosphorus (P): They labeled the DNA of the T2 bacteriophage with radioactive phosphorus-32 (32P). This was crucial because DNA contains phosphorus in its backbone, while proteins do not.
- Radioactive Sulfur (S): To label the proteins, they used radioactive sulfur-35 (35S) since proteins contain sulfur in amino acids, while DNA does not.
Significance of Using Radioactive Phosphorus
The use of radioactive phosphorus allowed Hershey and Chase to track the DNA's incorporation into the infected bacteria, establishing that it was indeed DNA that carried the genetic instructions necessary for the production of new viruses.
- DNA vs. Protein: By using these isotopes, they could definitively show that only the labeled DNA entered the bacterial cells, while the protein coat remained outside.
- Conclusion: This led to the conclusion that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material, which was a groundbreaking discovery in molecular biology.
Conclusion
Thus, the correct answer to the question about the medium used in their experiment is indeed option 'C', a medium containing radioactive phosphorus (P), which was essential for identifying the genetic material of the virus.
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On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)d)A medium containing potassium (K)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2025 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)d)A medium containing potassium (K)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)d)A medium containing potassium (K)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)d)A medium containing potassium (K)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2025 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)d)A medium containing potassium (K)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for On which medium were the viruses cultivated by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase?a)A medium containing radioactive potassium (K)b)A medium containing radioactive Uranium (U)c)A medium containing radioactive phosphorous (P)d)A medium containing potassium (K)Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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