Question

Griffith in his experiment with {Diplococcus pneumoniae discovered ______}.

• A. r-DNA
• B. Transformation
• C. Gene expression
• D. Reverse transcription

Hint:

Griffith showed that genetic information can transfer between bacteria.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Background of Griffith’s experiment.
Frederick Griffith performed experiments in 1928 using two strains of {Diplococcus pneumoniae}: a virulent smooth (S) strain and a non-virulent rough (R) strain.
Step 2: Key observation.
When heat-killed S-strain bacteria were mixed with live R-strain bacteria and injected into mice, the mice died, and live S-strain bacteria were recovered.
Step 3: Concept of transformation.
Griffith concluded that some “transforming principle” from the dead S-strain converted the non-virulent R-strain into a virulent form. This process was named transformation.
Step 4: Analysis of options.
(A) r-DNA: Developed much later using biotechnology techniques.
(B) Transformation: Correct, discovered by Griffith.
(C) Gene expression: Not the focus of Griffith’s experiment.
(D) Reverse transcription: Discovered later in retroviruses.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Griffith’s experiment led to the discovery of genetic transformation.