A bacterial strain that can grow on galactose is infected with a virus. After lysis, the next-generation virus particles are collected and used to infect a bacterial strain unable to grow on galactose. Some of the bacteria survive this infection, and a few are able to grow on galactose.

Which of the following statements best explains the observation that some bacteria seem to have acquired the ability to grow on galactose?

A. Viral proteins made following the second infection cooperated with host proteins to allow galactose metabolism.
B. The virus picked up and carried galactose genes of the first bacterial strain to the second bacterial strain.
C. The viral DNA became inserted in bacterial DNA during the second infection, enhancing genes needed for galactose metabolism.
D. The virus inserted its own DNA into the second bacterial strain, which changed its metabolism but did not destroy the cell.

Question

19-10-2024
Biology

College

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A bacterial strain that can grow on galactose is infected with a virus. After lysis, the next-generation virus particles are collected and used to infect a bacterial strain unable to grow on galactose. Some of the bacteria survive this infection, and a few are able to grow on galactose.

Which of the following statements best explains the observation that some bacteria seem to have acquired the ability to grow on galactose?

A. Viral proteins made following the second infection cooperated with host proteins to allow galactose metabolism.
B. The virus picked up and carried galactose genes of the first bacterial strain to the second bacterial strain.
C. The viral DNA became inserted in bacterial DNA during the second infection, enhancing genes needed for galactose metabolism.
D. The virus inserted its own DNA into the second bacterial strain, which changed its metabolism but did not destroy the cell.

Answer :

Final answer:

The ability of some bacteria to grow on galactose after viral infection is best explained by transduction, where a bacteriophage carries galactose genes from a galactose-capable bacterial strain to one that was previously unable to utilize galactose. The viral particles incorporate bacterial DNA during assembly, which is then transferred to other bacteria upon infection.

Explanation:

The observation that some bacteria acquired the ability to grow on galactose after being infected by a virus that previously infected a galactose-capable strain can be explained by a phenomenon known as transduction. Transduction occurs when a bacteriophage (virus) inadvertently picks up and carries bacterial genes from one cell to another. The most likely explanation for bacteria formerly unable to grow on galactose now showing this capability is option B: the virus picked up and carried galactose genes of the first bacterial strain to the second bacterial strain.

This could happen if the viral particles, during the assembly in the first bacterial host, incorporated pieces of bacterial DNA that contain genes for galactose metabolism. When these viral particles go on to infect the second bacterial strain, this DNA may be transferred and become incorporated into the host's genome, thereby conferring the ability to metabolize galactose.

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