The Hershey-Chase experiment

Experimental results show that DNA is the molecule in bacteriophages that is transferred by infection of bacterial cellsExperimental results show that DNA is the molecule in bacteriophages that is transferred by infection of bacterial cells

‘2‘ J,‘ 0 Label phage DNA 0 Label phage protein 1:: r . ,. 7 by growing phage in by growing phage in i» ~j .7 32P-containin9 medium. 35S-containing medium. . x l0 Infect new unlabeled o infect new unlabeled bacteria with 3’P— labeled bacteria with 35S-labeled phage phage. MN 9 After infection, agitation 9 After infection, agitation in a blender separates the 7‘ in a blender separates the empty (ghost) phage empty (ghost) phage particles from bacteria. particles from bacteria. 77J o Centrifuge blended mixture of bacteria "4} 0 Centrifuge blended i ‘ and gho.sts Bacteria I formg pellet at bottom; mixture of bacteria and ghosts. Bacteria form pellet at bottom; % A} ghosts remain ___v suspended in liquid. ghosts remain suspended in liquid. Almost all the BBS-label Almost all the 32P—label is in is in the supernate and the pellet and is contained in infected bacteria. remains with the ghost particles. Conclusion: DNA is the hereditary molecule passed by the infecting phage into the host cell and inherited by the progeny phages.