Hershey-Chase+Experiment

Hershey-Chase Experiment:

This experiment was done in 1952 by Alfred Hershey and Martha chase. This experiment eventually led to the discoverey that viruses dna was injected into cells. The objective of the scientists was to figure out whether genes were located in DNA or proteins. - genetic component is passed therough the bacteria of the DNA Watch the link to get an idea of the steps of the experiment http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olc/dl/120076/bio21.swf

www.accessexcellence.org/ AB/BC/**Experiments**_that_Inspire.html - 21k -

The experiment: Two sets of Viruses were grown- Group 1 was grown in Sulfur ions. This was done because no sulfur is normally found in the protein shell of viruses naturally. Bacteria were then infected with the sulfur-grown virus. This was done because Hershey and Chase knew that if any traces of radioactive sulfur was found in the infected bacteria, they would know that the genetic material that was being passed on by the bacteria was being passed through the protein shell. Hershey and chase found no traces of sulfur in the bacteria, though.

The second set of viruses was grown in Phosphorus ions. This was done because no sulfur is naturally found in DNA. Bacteria were infected with the viruses, and in the bacteria was found traces of Phosphorus, leading Hershey and Chase to realize that the enetic material of the virus was passed on through the DNA in the virus.

Prior to the Hershey- Chase experiment, scientists knew of the existence of DNA, and of the existece of genes, but in the experiment, they realized their connection.