Nucleic Acids and the Genetic Material Problem Set 1

Problem 1 Tutorial: Which Scientists ?

 Which scientists first gave experimental evidence that DNA is the genetic material?

Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty, 1944

  1. Purified S strain extracts to characterize the transforming principle.

  2. Material was resistant to proteases; it contained no lipid or carbohydrate.

  3. If DNA in the extract is destroyed, the transforming principle is lost.

  4. Pure DNA isolated from the S strain extract transforms R strain.

  5. Avery cautiously suggested that DNA was the genetic material.

  6. This was the first experimental evidence that DNA is the genetic material.


The Biology Project
University of Arizona
Thursday, October 3, 1996
Contact the Development Team

http://www.biology.arizona.edu
All contents copyright © 1996. All rights reserved.