Answer to Question #94221 in Genetics for Aditya Singh

Question

A group of genetics students mix two auxotrophic strains of bacteria: one is leu+ trp+ his− met− and the other is leu− trp− his+ met+. After mixing the two strains, they plate the bacteria on minimal medium and observe a few prototrophic colonies (leu+ trp+ his+ met+). They assume that some gene transfer has taken place between the two strains. How can they determine whether the transfer of genes is due to conjugation, transduction, or transformation?

Answer 1

In transformation, the recipient bacterium takes up extracellular donor DNA.

In transduction, bacteriophage virus helps in the transfer of DNA to the bacterium and

In conjugation, the donor bacterium transfers DNA to the recipient by mating when two bacteria are in direct contact with each other.