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Question #47491
The Question
A researcher attempts to replicate the classic Hershey-Chase blender experiment to study the infection mechanism of the pathogen responsible for Potato Spindle Tuber disease. They culture the pathogen in a medium containing both radioactive phosphorus (32P) and radioactive sulfur (35S), allow it to infect host cells, and then perform blending and centrifugation. Which of the following accurately describes the expected outcome and its rationale?
Options
- A.
35S will be recovered in the supernatant and 32P in the pellet, identical to the T2 bacteriophage experiment.
- B.
Only 32P will be incorporated into the pathogen; the experiment cannot yield a 35S-labeled 'ghost' in the supernatant because the pathogen lacks a protein coat.
- C.
Both 32P and 35S will be found in the pellet, as the pathogen enters the host cell entirely without leaving a capsid outside.
- D.
Only 35S will be detected in the pellet, as the pathogen is an abnormally folded infectious protein lacking nucleic acid.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
RNA_Genome|Protein_Capsid|Reverse_Transcriptase
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Integrating Class 11 Biological Classification (Viroid structure) with Class 12 Molecular Basis of Inheritance (Hershey-Chase methodology).
Students often mechanically associate the Hershey-Chase experiment with both 32P and 35S without evaluating if the specific pathogen possesses the biochemical substrate (protein) required for 35S labeling.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biological Classification - Class 11 |
| Concept | Viroid vs Virus Distinction |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |