Question

Recall the experiment done by Frederick Griffith. If RNA, instead of DNA was the genetic material, would the heat killed strain of strepts have transformed the R-strain into virulent strain? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

RNA is more labile and prone to degradation (owing to the presence of 2’ OH group in its ribose). Hence heat-killed S-strain may not have retained its ability to transform the R-strain into virulent form if RNA was its genetic material.