6. In 1928, before DNA was recognized as the hereditary material, F Griffith performed a series of experiments in which he infected the mice with two different strains of pneumonia causing bacteria (S. pneumonia): the S strain was smooth and virulent (caused disease) and the R strain was rough and not virulent (did not cause disease). Your supervisor provides you with three unknown samples of S. pneumonia that were stored by Griffith and labeled as "A", "B" and "C. He then asks you to characterize these samples as virulent and smooth or not virulent and rough. Not knowing what each sample contains, you decide to inject these samples into mice both individually and in combination. You then obtain blood samples from these mice to look for the type of bacteria. You also record whether the mice live or die and tabulate your data as follows. Assuming that each sample contained only one type of bacterial strain in a pure form, what type of S. pneumonia was in samples 'A', 'B' and 'C'? Provide an explanation for your each sample. Set 1 Sample injected Response of the mice Type of strain recovered from mice 1 A Live Live Dead Dead None Live R strain Live S strain Live R and live S strains 2 C A + B B+C C+A 4 Dead Dead Live R and live S strains Live S strain 6

Biochemistry
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Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
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**Experiment Overview: Griffith's 1928 Transformation Experiment**

In 1928, prior to the recognition of DNA as the hereditary material, F. Griffith conducted a series of experiments involving the infection of mice with two different strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria (S. pneumoniae). The S strain was characterized as smooth and virulent (causing disease), while the R strain was rough and avirulent (not causing disease).

**Objective:**
To characterize three unknown samples of S. pneumoniae, labeled "A," "B," and "C," as either virulent and smooth or avirulent and rough, based on their effects on mice.

**Experiment Details:**

- **Sample Injections and Observations:**

  - **Set 1:**

    | Set | Sample Injected | Response of the Mice | Type of Strain Recovered from Mice |
    |-----|----------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------|
    | 1   | A              | Live                 | None                              |
    | 2   | B              | Live                 | Live R strain                     |
    | 3   | C              | Dead                 | Live S strain                     |
    | 4   | A + B          | Dead                 | Live R and live S strains         |
    | 5   | B + C          | Dead                 | Live R and live S strains         |
    | 6   | C + A          | Dead                 | Live S strain                     |

**Conclusion:**

- **Sample A:** Represents the R strain as injecting it alone led to the survival of the mice, and no virulent strain was recovered.
- **Sample B:** Contains the R strain, causing no disease by itself, but when combined with S strain, the transformation occurred, confirming the presence of R strain.
- **Sample C:** Contains the S strain, as it caused the death of the mice, indicating virulence.

The combination of samples A and B resulted in the death of mice due to the transformation of non-virulent bacteria into virulent forms, illustrating the transformative principle later identified as DNA.

**Explanation:**
Griffith's work demonstrated that some component of the dead virulent S strain could transform live non-virulent R strains into virulent forms, laying the groundwork for the discovery of DNA as the material responsible for heredity.
Transcribed Image Text:**Experiment Overview: Griffith's 1928 Transformation Experiment** In 1928, prior to the recognition of DNA as the hereditary material, F. Griffith conducted a series of experiments involving the infection of mice with two different strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria (S. pneumoniae). The S strain was characterized as smooth and virulent (causing disease), while the R strain was rough and avirulent (not causing disease). **Objective:** To characterize three unknown samples of S. pneumoniae, labeled "A," "B," and "C," as either virulent and smooth or avirulent and rough, based on their effects on mice. **Experiment Details:** - **Sample Injections and Observations:** - **Set 1:** | Set | Sample Injected | Response of the Mice | Type of Strain Recovered from Mice | |-----|----------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------| | 1 | A | Live | None | | 2 | B | Live | Live R strain | | 3 | C | Dead | Live S strain | | 4 | A + B | Dead | Live R and live S strains | | 5 | B + C | Dead | Live R and live S strains | | 6 | C + A | Dead | Live S strain | **Conclusion:** - **Sample A:** Represents the R strain as injecting it alone led to the survival of the mice, and no virulent strain was recovered. - **Sample B:** Contains the R strain, causing no disease by itself, but when combined with S strain, the transformation occurred, confirming the presence of R strain. - **Sample C:** Contains the S strain, as it caused the death of the mice, indicating virulence. The combination of samples A and B resulted in the death of mice due to the transformation of non-virulent bacteria into virulent forms, illustrating the transformative principle later identified as DNA. **Explanation:** Griffith's work demonstrated that some component of the dead virulent S strain could transform live non-virulent R strains into virulent forms, laying the groundwork for the discovery of DNA as the material responsible for heredity.
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