Question

Scientists seeking to determine which molecule is responsible for the transmission of characteristics from one generation to the next knew that the molecules must (1) copy itself precisely (2) be stable but able to be changed and (3) be complex enough to determine the organism’s phenotype. a. Explain how DNA meets each of the three criteria stated above. b. Select one of the criteria stated above and describe experimental evidence used to determine that DNA is the hereditary material.

Answer 1

A) DNA fulfils all three conditions:
(1) copy itself precisely - in the process of replication, DNA copies itself and two molecules of DNA are formed. This process is very precise thanks to the great number of proteins involved in these process that prevents error occurring and proteins that can fix the error if it occurs.
(2) be stable but able to be changed - DNA is very stable molecule otherwise, it cannot be a genetic material. However, its chains can separate in a short length so the translational machinery can attach to it and the process of transcription can occur. Also, in crossing over, during meiosis, the exchange of genetic material occurs and chromosomes change a bit.
(3) be complex enough to determine the organism’s phenotype - it contains a number of genes responsible for different traits. All of this results in the organism’s phenotype.


B) DNA copies itself. Meselson and Stahl conducted the experiments on DNA replication in which they used E. coli bacteria as a model system. After they labelled all bacteria's DNA with heavy 15N by using medium with heavy 15N, they switched bacteria to medium with light 14N. After several generations, all bacteria's DNA was labelled with light 14N. This experiment evidenced that the self-replication of DNA is semi-conservative process.