Hershey and Chase experimented with radioactively labeled phosphorus and sulfur to determine that DNA and not protein is the genetic material. Which of the following was essential to the success of the experiment?

A) Sulfur is present in amino acids in the protein coat of bacteria.
B) Phosphorus is present in high amounts in DNA.
C) Sulfur is not present in DNA.
D) Phosphorus is not present in amino acids in the protein coat of bacteria.
E) All of the answer choices describe information that was necessary for the success of the experiment.

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Zybrea Knight · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : E, Explanation :  The Hershey and Chase experiment relied on the fact that sulfur is present in proteins but not in DNA, and phosphorus is present in DNA but not in proteins. This allowed them to use radioactive labeling to distinguish between DNA and proteins in the bacteriophages, leading to the conclusion that DNA is the genetic material.

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