Hershey & Chase 1952 Fig 1

The Hershey & Chase Blender Experiment

    During the process of infection of bacteria by phage, a quick spin in a Waring blonder shears phage away from the outside of the bacteria. Analysis of the bacterial pellet and supernatant fractions afterward demonstrates that phosphorus-labelled DNA inside the phage shows up in bacteria, whereas the sulfur-labelled protein in the external coat remains in the supernatant.

HOMEWORK: The  blonder experiment is sometimes described as "quick & dirty": Why? Explain, in terms of  the key figure above. Draw the results if the 'perfect' expected results had been obtained.


All text material ©2015 by Steven M. Carr