Question

Transformation experiments using Pneumococcus bacteria led to the hypothesis that

• A. DNA is the genetic material.
• B. Bacteria have sexual reproduction.
• C. Chromosomes are made up of DNA.
• D. RNA is the transfer link.

Answer 1

The correct option is A DNA is the genetic material.

In transformation experiment, Griffith took two strains of Pneumococci: |||-S and ||-R. |||-S had protective polysaccharide capsule and were able to kill the host, while ||-R did not have a capsule and was not able to kill the host. He killed the type |||-S strain and added their remains to ||-R and the combination was able to kill the host. He isolated both live |||-S and ||-R strain from the dead host. He concluded that type ||-R had been converted to type |||-S by 'transforming principle'(DNA) and hypothesizes that DNA is a genetic material. Thus, the correct answer is option A.