If DNA contained sulfur instead of phosphorus and proteins contained phosphorus instead of sulfur, what would have been the outcome of Hershey and Chase experiment?

A Radioactive phosphorus in bacterial cells

B No radioactive sulfur in bacterial cells

C Both radioactive sulfur and phosphorus in bacterial cells

D Radioactive sulfur in bacterial cells

The answer is D.

Solution

The genetic material (DNA) enters the bacterial cell. If DNA contained sulfur, radioactive sulfur would be found inside the bacterial cells.

Concept Hershey-Chase experiment

3 questions from this chapter have appeared across 3 exam years.