Question

Who performed experiments on Vicia faba to prove that the DNA replicates semi-conservatively?

• A. Taylor and colleagues
• B. Matthew Meselson
• C. Stahl
• D. Hershey and Chase

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Taylor and his colleagues used root tips of Vicia faba (broad bean) to demonstrate that DNA replication follows a semi-conservative mechanism. In this method, each daughter DNA molecule consists of one original (parental) strand and one newly synthesized strand. This experiment laid the foundation for understanding how genetic information is conserved during cell division.

Answer 2

The experiment conducted by Taylor and his colleagues in 1958 on Vicia faba (broad bean) demonstrated that DNA replicates semi-conservatively. This experiment showed that during DNA replication, each strand of the original DNA molecule serves as a template for a new strand. As a result, the two daughter DNA molecules each contain one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

This semi-conservative model was proven through labeling DNA strands with radioactive isotopes, and following their distribution during cell division. Taylor and colleagues' work was fundamental in confirming that DNA replication is semi-conservative, as opposed to the conservative or dispersive models.