Howdid Hershey and Chase differentiate between DNA and protein in theirexperiment while proving that DNA is the genetic material?
Howdid Hershey and Chase differentiate between DNA and protein in theirexperiment while proving that DNA is the genetic material?
Hersheyand Chase worked with bacteriophage and E.coli to prove thatDNA is the genetic material. They used different radioactive isotopesto label DNA and protein coat of the bacteriophage.
They grewsome bacteriophages on a medium containing radioactive phosphorus(32P) to identify DNA and some on a medium containingradioactive sulphur (35S) to identify protein. Then, theseradioactive labelled phages were allowed to infect E.colibacteria. After infecting, the protein coat of the bacteriophagewas separated from the bacterial cell by blending and then subjectedto the process of centrifugation.
Since theprotein coat was lighter, it was found in the supernatant while theinfected bacteria got settled at the bottom of the centrifuge tube.Hence, it was proved that DNA is the genetic material as it wastransferred from virus to bacteria.
Hersheyand Chase worked with bacteriophage and E.coli to prove thatDNA is the genetic material. They used different radioactive isotopesto label DNA and protein coat of the bacteriophage.
They grewsome bacteriophages on a medium containing radioactive phosphorus(32P) to identify DNA and some on a medium containingradioactive sulphur (35S) to identify protein. Then, theseradioactive labelled phages were allowed to infect E.colibacteria. After infecting, the protein coat of the bacteriophagewas separated from the bacterial cell by blending and then subjectedto the process of centrifugation.
Since theprotein coat was lighter, it was found in the supernatant while theinfected bacteria got settled at the bottom of the centrifuge tube.Hence, it was proved that DNA is the genetic material as it wastransferred from virus to bacteria.
