DNA as Genetic Material and Griffith's Experiment

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on DNA as genetic material and significant experiments such as Griffith's, Avery's, and the Hershey-Chase experiments.

What are the two main requirements that genetic material must meet?

1. information to dictate the cell's components

2. be easily duplicated to pass on during cell division.

How does the Watson/Crick model fulfill the requirements for genetic material?

DNA is double-stranded and complementary, allowing for information storage and easy replication.

In the 1920s, where was genetic information known to be located?

chromosomes.

Before Watson and Crick, which two molecules were considered as candidates for genetic material?

protein and DNA.

What happened to mice injected with live S strain in Griffith's experiment?

Injection of live S strain killed the mice.

What was the outcome for mice injected with live R strain?

Injection of live R strain left the mice healthy.

What was the result when mice were injected with heat-killed S strain?

Injection of heat-killed S strain left the mice healthy.

What occurred when mice were injected with live R strain plus heat-killed S strain?

Injection of live R strain + heat-killed S strain killed the mice.

What molecule did Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty identify as the 'transforming principle'?

They demonstrated that DNA is the transforming principle.

In the Hershey-Chase experiment, what was DNA labeled with to track it?

DNA was labeled with radioactive phosphorus (32P).

In the Hershey-Chase experiment, what was protein labeled with to track it?

Protein was labeled with radioactive sulfur (35S).

If proteins were the genetic material, where would radioactivity be found after the Hershey-Chase experiment?

supernatant (fluid)

How would the Hershey-Chase results differ if RNA were the genetic material?

Labeling RNA would have been necessary, and the experiment would need different radioactive markers.