The Results of the Experiment

The results of the Hershey-Chase experiment provided clear evidence for DNA as the genetic material. When the researchers measured radioactivity, they found that 35S (the isotope labeling proteins) was present in the supernatant, indicating that protein did not enter the bacteria. In contrast, 32P (the isotope labeling DNA) was found in the bacterial pellet, showing that DNA entered the cells and directed viral replication.  

The conclusion was groundbreaking: DNA, not protein, is the molecule responsible for carrying genetic information. This discovery not only ended the debate about the role of DNA versus protein but also laid the foundation for modern molecular biology.