Researchers design experiments so that only one thing is different between the treatments that are being compared. In the Hershey–Chase experiment, what was this single difference?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the Hershey-Chase experiment. This experiment was conducted by Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase in 1952 to determine whether DNA or proteins are the genetic material that viruses inject into bacteria to replicate.
2. Step 2: Recall the design of the Hershey-Chase experiment. They used two types of bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria): one with radioactive phosphorus-32 (P-32) in the DNA and another with radioactive sulfur-35 (S-35) in the protein coat.
3. Step 3: Identify the single difference between the treatments. The only difference between the two bacteriophages was the location of the radioactive label: one was in the DNA (P-32) and the other was in the protein coat (S-35).
4. Step 4: Understand the significance of this difference. By tracking where the radioactive labels ended up, Hershey and Chase could determine whether it was the DNA or the protein that was injected into the bacteria and thus, which one was the genetic material.
5. Step 5: Summarize the answer. The single difference in the Hershey-Chase experiment was the location of the radioactive label: in the DNA for one group of bacteriophages and in the protein coat for the other group.

Key Concepts

Hershey-Chase Experiment

The Hershey-Chase experiment, conducted in 1952, was pivotal in demonstrating that DNA is the genetic material. Researchers used bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, to show that when these viruses infect bacteria, it is the DNA, not the protein coat, that enters the bacterial cells and directs the production of new viruses.

Independent Variable

In experimental design, the independent variable is the factor that is intentionally changed or manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable. In the Hershey-Chase experiment, the independent variable was the type of labeled molecule (either DNA or protein) used to track which component was responsible for genetic inheritance.

Radioactive Labeling

Radioactive labeling involves tagging molecules with radioactive isotopes to trace their movement and interactions in biological systems. In the Hershey-Chase experiment, phosphorus-32 was used to label DNA and sulfur-35 to label proteins, allowing researchers to determine which component was transmitted to the bacteria during infection.