What does bacterial growth on a plate containing a particular trait (such as antibiotic resistance) after a bacterial conjugation experiment indicate? A. The bacterial colonies have acquired the trait from the F- strain (recipient). B. The bacterial colonies have resisted the trait and not undergone conjugation. C. The bacterial colonies have undergone mutation and developed the trait on their own. D. The bacterial colonies growing on the plate have likely undergone conjugation and acquired the desired trait from the F+ strain (donor).
What does bacterial growth on a plate containing a particular trait (such as antibiotic resistance) after a bacterial conjugation experiment indicate? A. The bacterial colonies have acquired the trait from the F- strain (recipient). B. The bacterial colonies have resisted the trait and not undergone conjugation. C. The bacterial colonies have undergone mutation and developed the trait on their own. D. The bacterial colonies growing on the plate have likely undergone conjugation and acquired the desired trait from the F+ strain (donor).
Answered
The correct answer is D. The bacterial colonies growing on the plate have likely undergone conjugation and acquired the desired trait from the F+ strain (donor).
Explanation:
In a bacterial conjugation experiment, the F+ strain (donor) carries the plasmid containing the trait (such as antibiotic resistance), and the F- strain (recipient) does not. During conjugation, the F+ strain transfers the plasmid to the F- strain. If bacterial growth occurs on a plate containing the selective trait (e.g., an antibiotic), it suggests that the F- strain has acquired the plasmid from the F+ strain, giving it the ability to survive and grow in the presence of the antibiotic.
This indicates that the recipient bacteria have received the plasmid (and the resistance trait) through conjugation and now exhibit the desired characteristic.
Why the other options are incorrect:
- A. The bacterial colonies have acquired the trait from the F- strain (recipient): This is false. The F- strain does not contain the plasmid initially; it is the F+ strain that donates the plasmid.
- B. The bacterial colonies have resisted the trait and not undergone conjugation: This is false. The presence of growth on the plate indicates that conjugation has likely occurred and the trait has been acquired.
- C. The bacterial colonies have undergone mutation and developed the trait on their own: This is unlikely. The most probable explanation is that the colonies acquired the trait through conjugation, not through spontaneous mutation.
BNO Team