Zoology - Molecular Basis of Inheritance Question with Solution | TestHub
There are 5 test tubes having a culture medium containing rough colonies ofStreptococcus pneumoniae. The following substances were added in them. Which of these test tubes will show smooth colonies ofStreptococcus pneumoniae on incubation for some time?
Test tube I: RNA from a heat-killed smooth strain ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Test tube II: DNA from a heat-killed smooth strain ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Test tube III: Protein from a heat-killed smooth strain ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Test tube IV: Carbohydrate from a heat-killed smooth strain ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Test tube V: Heat killed smooth strain ofStreptococcus pneumoniae incubated with DNAse enzyme
Options:
Answer:
Solution:
This example is the basis of Avery, Mcleod and McCarty's experiment. They proved that DNA is the genetic material. That means only DNA from heat-killed smooth strain could enter rough strain and transform them into smooth colonies. In Test tube V, DNAse enzyme will destroy DNA in the smooth strain, and hence, it will not be able to transfer its DNA.
