What was the reasoning behind the transformation observed in Avery's experiment when combining dead infectious and live non-infectious bacteria?

• A. Proteins from the dead bacteria activated the live bacteria's infectious genes.
• B. Lipids from the dead bacteria altered the cell membrane of the live bacteria.
• C. RNA from the dead bacteria was incorporated into the live bacteria, causing infection.
• D. DNA from the dead infectious bacteria transformed the live non-infectious bacteria into an infectious form.

Answer: (D)