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DNA Presentation

Frederick Griffith's experiments in the early 20th century revealed a 'transforming principle' in bacteria, suggesting a mechanism for heredity. Oswald Avery later identified this principle as DNA, demonstrating it to be the genetic material through experiments that showed transformation ceased when DNA was destroyed. Their combined work laid the foundation for modern genetics and molecular biology, paving the way for future discoveries.

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24 views9 pages

DNA Presentation

Frederick Griffith's experiments in the early 20th century revealed a 'transforming principle' in bacteria, suggesting a mechanism for heredity. Oswald Avery later identified this principle as DNA, demonstrating it to be the genetic material through experiments that showed transformation ceased when DNA was destroyed. Their combined work laid the foundation for modern genetics and molecular biology, paving the way for future discoveries.

Uploaded by

kukreti.svaksha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Discovery of DNA as the

Genetic Material:
Contributions of Frederick
Griffith and Oswald Avery
Early 20th century understanding of heredity
was unclear. Debate over whether proteins or
nucleic acids were the genetic material.
The first Expriment
Objective: Study pneumonia-causing bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae).
Setup: Two bacterial strains:
S strain: Smooth, virulent (caused disease).
R strain: Rough, non-virulent (did not cause disease).
Experiment:
Injected mice with different combinations of live and heat-killed bacteria.
Findings:
Mice died when injected with a mix of live R strain and heat-killed S strain.
Transformation occurred: R strain transformed into virulent S strain.
Conclusion: There was a "transforming principle" that transferred
virulence.
Griffith’s Results – Implications
Griffith did not identify the nature of
the "transforming principle."

Paved the way for further investigation


into the molecular basis of heredity.
Oswald Avery’s Experiment (1944)
OBJECTIVE: IDENTIFY THE "TRANSFORMING PRINCIPLE" FROM GRIFFITH'S WORK.
APPROACH:
PURIFIED COMPONENTS FROM S STRAIN BACTERIA.
TREATED SAMPLES WITH ENZYMES THAT DESTROYED PROTEINS, RNA, AND DNA.
KEY OBSERVATIONS:
TRANSFORMATION OCCURRED WHEN PROTEINS AND RNA WERE DESTROYED.
TRANSFORMATION STOPPED WHEN DNA WAS DESTROYED.
CONCLUSION: DNA IS THE "TRANSFORMING PRINCIPLE" AND THUS THE GENETIC MATERIAL.
Avery’s Results
Provided strong evidence that DNA is the genetic
material.
Initially met with skepticism as proteins were
still considered more complex and likely
candidates for genetic material.
Laid the groundwork for future discoveries
(Hershey-Chase experiment, Watson and Crick).
TIMELINE RECAP
1940s: Avery and colleagues
(MacLeod and McCarty) identify DNA
as the genetic material.
1944: Avery's findings are
1928: Griffith discovers the
published, marking a turning
"transforming principle."
point in molecular biology.
Significance of Their Work
Revolutionized the field of genetics and molecular biology.
Set the stage for the discovery of DNA’s structure (Watson and
Crick, 1953).
Demonstrated the central role of DNA in heredity and life
processes.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways:
Griffith: Discovery of transformation.
Avery: Identification of DNA as the genetic
material.
Their work established the foundation for
modern genetics and biotechnology.

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