Which enzymes did Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty use in order to identify the genetic material?
Question
Which enzymes did Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty use in order to identify the genetic material?
Solution
Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty did not use enzymes to identify the genetic material. Instead, they used a process called transformation to determine that DNA is the genetic material. Here are the steps they followed:
- They started by isolating the genetic material from a heat-killed strain of bacteria that caused pneumonia.
- Next, they treated the isolated genetic material with enzymes called proteases, which break down proteins. This step was done to ensure that any proteins present in the sample would not interfere with their experiments.
- They then treated the sample with enzymes called ribonucleases, which break down RNA. This step was done to eliminate any RNA that might be present in the sample.
- Finally, they treated the sample with enzymes called deoxyribonucleases, which break down DNA. If the genetic material was still intact after this treatment, it would indicate that DNA is the genetic material.
Through their experiments, Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty found that when the DNA was destroyed by the deoxyribonucleases, the transforming ability of the genetic material was lost. This led them to conclude that DNA is the substance responsible for carrying genetic information.
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