Question

Hershey and Chase grew some virus in liquid containing 35S and another batch of virus in a different flask of liquid containing 32P. Would you expect virus growing in a medium containing 35S to synthesize DNA containing 35S?

Answer 1

Answer:

No, since DNA does not have atoms of S (sulfur) in its nucleotide.

Explanation:

DNA molecule has several nucleotides that are bonded by a specific type of covalent bond. Nucleotides of DNA have a pentose sugar, phosphate and a nitrogenous base (purines and pyrimidines). None of these components of DNA nucleotides have sulfur atoms in their structure. Therefore, viruses growing in a medium having 35S would not form DNA having these sulfur atoms. Sulfur atoms are present in some of the amino acids of proteins.