Recently the Mars Rover found a new life form on Mars! This organism is composed
ID: 60640 • Letter: R
Question
Recently the Mars Rover found a new life form on Mars! This organism is composed, which is very similar to a bacteriophage, contains both proteins and DNA and the question now becomes what serves as the organisms genetic material. Assume that pprotein and DNA structures are the same as on Earth. Preliminary studies have showed that it can infect and replicate itself in bacteria. You have been hand selected to design an experiment that will identify what molecule is used for its genetic material. Design the experiment.
Explanation / Answer
In the given case, an organism was identified on Mars which resembles a bacteriophage in structure. It contains DNA and proteins and is able to infect the bacteria.
Based on this data, to prove whether genetic material is DNA or proteins we can use Hershey-Chase experiment. In the given data, it is stated that the composition of DNA and proteins are same as on the earth. Hence, use radioactive phosphorous-32 and sulfur-35, which label DNA and proteins respectively.
As the bacteriophage like organisms are able to infect bacteria allow them to grow on bacterial colonies that are labelled with radioactive phosphorous-32 and sulfur-35 separately. Thus, the labelled bacteriophages are obtained that are again cultivated on two separate bacterial colonies that are unlabeled.
The centrifugation of bacterial cell lysate indicates whether DNA or protein acts as genetic material in bacteriophages. Centrifugation also allows separation of phage coats from bacteria. The lysis of bacterial cells release phages. If the progeny of phage are labelled with phosphorous-32 then the genetic material is DNA or if they are labelled with sulfur-35 then the genetic material is protein.
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