Question

question 10 of 10
in an experiment, a scientist makes a radioactively labeled probe using viral dna. she then discovers that the probe hybridizes to a small segment of dna isolated from human tissue. what can she conclude from her results?
a. a virus contaminated the reaction in which the probe was made.
b. the geiger counter being used to detect radiation is broken.
c. the human genome might contain at least one viral gene.
d. two or more samples were accidentally swapped, causing confusion.

Explanation:

DNA hybridization occurs when complementary DNA strands bind. A viral - labeled probe binding to human DNA suggests sequence similarity. This implies the human genome may have viral - derived genes (like in retroviral integration). Options A (contamination) is less likely as the probe was made with viral DNA. Option B (Geiger counter) is unrelated to hybridization results. Option D (sample swap) doesn't explain the specific hybridization event.

Answer:

C. The human genome might contain at least one viral gene.