Question

How did the Hershey and Chase experiment prove that DNA, not protein, functioned in controlling genetic inheritance?
(A) By tagging the DNA of the infecting bacteriophage with radioactive sulfur, the infected bacterial cell became radioactive as DNA entered and took over control.
(B) The protein coat of the bacteriophage was tagged with both radioactive phosphorus and Sulphur a would go undetected within the infected bacterial cell since only the DNA molecule enters.
(C) Radioactive carbon was used to tag both DNA and the protein coat of the infecting bacteriophage which would be detected within the infected bacterial cell as both molecules enter.
(D) Phosphate was used to tag DNA containing phosphorus within its structure (Specifically the backbone), while proteins do not, and would make the bacterial cell radioactive as DNA entered and looked over control.

Answer 1

Hershey and Chase did several experiments in the field of genetic biology. They found that the DNA is the genetic material that is inherited from generations to generations and it is not the proteins. The protein stays only in the body of the particular individual.

Complete Answer:
In $1952$, Hershey and Chase in their experiment they found that, when the bacteria affect any host cell the DNA from the bacteria moves into the host cell not the proteins. In order to prove their findings, they took the bacteriophage in which its protein is labelled by means of sulfur and the DNA is labelled by means of the phosphorus.

The radioactive isotopes of sulfur and the phosphate were taken because they give an easier way to differ in the series of experiments. After that the genetic material was taken from the cell which was affected by the bacteriophage and it was found to be DNA and not normal protein.

**Thus, the option (D) is correct.
Note: DNA is the deoxyribonucleic acid and it is different from the protein. The proteins are made up of the amino acids whereas the backbone of the DNA is the nucleotides. It carries the genetic code of the structure and the behavior of the individual.