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old colonies of Chlamy cells is…

Biology Questions

Which statement about the 2-week-old colonies of Chlamy cells is correct? A. All the colonies have the antibiotic resistance gene located in the same place in the genome. B. Some of the colonies are mutated cells, while others are wild-type cells. C. The growth rate of cells from different colonies will likely differ. D. All the colonies are mutants in flagella development.

Short Answer

The mutation process starts with introducing an antibiotic resistance gene into *Chlamy* cells via horizontal gene transfer, creating a diverse population of mutated and wild-type cells. After two weeks, the colonies will show a mix of these cell types, confirming that mutations occur randomly and not all cells will be mutated.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Mutation Process

The process begins with the introduction of an antibiotic resistance gene into a population of *Chlamy* cells through a method called horizontal gene transfer. This allows for the mutation of some cells while others remain wild-type. The randomness of DNA insertion means that not every cell will acquire the mutation, leading to a diverse population with varying characteristics.

Step 2: Assess the Colony Composition

After two weeks, the resulting colonies will contain a mix of mutated and wild-type cells, which is best described by statement B: “Some of the colonies are mutated cells and other colonies are wild-type cells.” Specifically, this indicates that not all cells are mutated due to the random nature of the DNA integration process.

Step 3: Evaluate Other Statements

When analyzing the other statements, consider the following:

  • Statement A is unlikely, as the position for DNA insertion is random.
  • Statement C could be possible since different mutations may influence growth rates differently.
  • Statement D is not necessarily true, unless there was a specific targeting of genes responsible for flagella development.

Related Concepts

Horizontal gene transfer

A process where genetic material is transferred between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction, allowing for the exchange of traits, such as antibiotic resistance.

Mutation

A change in the dna sequence of an organism’s genome that can lead to variations in traits, some of which may confer advantages under specific conditions, like resistance to antibiotics.

Wild-type

The typical form of a species or strain, particularly regarding its genetic makeup and characteristics, which serves as a standard against which mutations are compared.