Chapter 10.2, Problem 25AQP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The result of experiment performed by Fraenkel-Conrat and Singer. Also determine the result of the same experiment if protein was the genetic material of TMV instead of RNA.

Introduction:

Fraenkel-Conrat and Singer collected RNA and protein from different TMV (tobacco mosaic virus) and made a hybrid virus from these molecules. Then they allowed these hybrid viruses to infect the tobacco leaves, which in turn produced new virus particles. The newly obtained viral progeny showed characters identical to the strain from which RNA was extracted, the new progeny showed no resemblance with the strain from which protein was extracted. Hence, they concluded that RNA is the genetic material of TMV.