The phage used in the experiment consisted of a DNA molecule surrounded by a protein coat.

The phage used in the experiment consisted of a DNA molecule surrounded by a protein coat.

• A. Not specified
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Both true and false

Answer: (B)

Phages are viruses that package their genetic material inside a protein shell called a capsid. The genome of many phages is DNA, enclosed within that coat, which is precisely what the statement describes. In this experiment, if the phage used has a DNA genome, then describing it as a DNA molecule surrounded by a protein coat fits its basic structure. (Note that some phages have RNA genomes, in which case the same description would not apply.) Therefore, the statement is true for DNA-based phages.

Phages are viruses that package their genetic material inside a protein shell called a capsid. The genome of many phages is DNA, enclosed within that coat, which is precisely what the statement describes. In this experiment, if the phage used has a DNA genome, then describing it as a DNA molecule surrounded by a protein coat fits its basic structure. (Note that some phages have RNA genomes, in which case the same description would not apply.) Therefore, the statement is true for DNA-based phages.