IB Biology HL A1.2.14 Hl Hershey Chase Experiment Questions

Explain how Hershey–Chase labelled bacteriophage DNA with ³²P and protein with ³⁵S. Trace ³²P-labelled DNA into E. coli and new viruses, and explain how the results showed that DNA, not protein, carries genetic information.

Exam points

Describe how Hershey–Chase used ³²P to label bacteriophage DNA and ³⁵S to label protein.
Explain how ³²P-labelled DNA entered E. coli and appeared in new viruses, supporting the conclusion that DNA rather than protein carries genetic information.

[Maximum number: 3]

The Hershey and Chase experiment supported DNA as the hereditary material.

Describe the experiment.

a. radioactive isotopes used to label viruses/bacteriophages/phages

b. proteins labelled with radioactive sulphur ${ }^{35} \mathrm{~S}$ and DNA labelled with radioactive phosphorous ${ }^{32} \mathrm{P}$

c. phage infects bacterium

d. only viral DNA enters bacterium «viral coat/capsid/shell do not»

e. parts of phage remaining outside bacterial cell are removed OR

bacteria are separated from phage parts «by centrifuge»

f. bacteria contain the labelled/radioactive DNA

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IB Biology HL A1.2.14 Hl Hershey Chase Experiment Questions question 1