Question

Study the diagram given below that shows the steps involved in the procedure of selecting transformed bacteria and answer the questions that follow: 

 (a) Identify the colony that has got transformed. Justify your answer. 
 

Hint:

In transformation experiments: - Disrupted resistance gene = Loss of resistance. - Growth indicates retained resistance (e.g., ampicillin resistance).

Answer 1

- The transformed colony is identified by growth on Plate M (containing ampicillin) and absence of growth on Plate N (containing both ampicillin and tetracycline). - Rationale: Recombinant DNA insertion inactivates the tetracycline resistance gene, rendering the bacteria susceptible to tetracycline, while ampicillin resistance remains, enabling growth on Plate M.