Question

While doing research on deep-sea vents, you discover a very simple new life form. After some initial analysis, you find that this life form contains small fragments of DNA, small complementary RNA fragments, and proteins. Fortuitously, you collected two strains, one that is purple and one that is yellow. You wish to discover which of those three molecules could be the genetic material. You heat-kill some of the purple life form and subject three different homogenized samples to different enzymes: DNase, RNase, or protease. Which treated sample(s) will transform yellow into purple IF RNA is the genetic material

Answer 1

Answer:

The one treated with DNase and protease

Explanation:

The samples that will transform yellow into purple if RNA is the genetic material are the ones treated with DNase and protease respectively.

The treatment of the heat-killed sample of the purple life with DNase will ensure that the DNA in the sample becomes degraded while treatment with protease will ensure that protein is degraded, leaving only the RNA. Thus, the RNA can be taken up by the yellow life form and become transformed into purple if indeed RNA is the genetic material.

The sample treated with RNase cannot transform the yellow life into purple because the RNase catalyzes the degradation of RNA into smaller components.