Question

Alfred Hershey and Martha chase used radioactive isotopes to label DNA and proteins of bacteriophage. These radioisotopes were respectively __________.

• A. $P^{32}and{S}^{35}$
• B. $S^{35}and{P}^{32}$
• C. $S^{35}and{P}^{35}$
• D. $P^{35}and{S}^{32}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $P^{32}and{S}^{35}$

DNA is the genetic material that came from the experiments of Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase (1952). They worked with viruses that infect bacteria called bacteriophages. Hershey and Chase worked to discover whether it was protein or DNA from the viruses that entered the bacteria. They grew some viruses on a medium that contained radioactive phosphorus$\left(P^{32}\right)$ and some others on medium that contained radioactive sulfur$\left(S^{35}\right)$.