Download Hershey-Chase Experiment

The Hershey-Chase Experiment
Background
Early genetics had several basic problems to solve, and chief among them was to determine what exactly was
the genetic material inside cells. This was solved by two scientists, Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase. This
discovery pointed the way for several subsequent studies that opened a new generation of genetic research,
leading eventually to the modern field that continues to grow today.
Part A.
Read the boxed text about the Hershey-Chase experiment on page 344 in the textbook, and then answer the
question below.
1. What proteins are found in the nucleus, associated with DNA?
2. What characteristics of proteins made them the leading candidate among most scientists to be the genetic
material?
3. Why were viruses such a useful tool in determining whether DNA or protein is the genetic material?
Part B.
Read the boxed text that contains data based questions about the Hershey-Chase experiment that starts at the
bottom of page 344 in the textbook. Answer the questions at the end of the section on this paper.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)