Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)
Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)
15th Edition
ISBN: 9780134261928
Author: Michael T. Madigan, Kelly S. Bender, Daniel H. Buckley, W. Matthew Sattley, David A. Stahl
Publisher: PEARSON
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Chapter 11, Problem 1AQ

A constitutive mutant is a strain that continuously makes a protein that is inducible in the wild type. Describe two ways in which a change in a DNA molecule could lead to the emergence of a constitutive mutant. How could these two types of constitutive mutants be distinguished genetically?

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Summary Introduction

To discuss:

A constitutive mutant (a strain) can continuously produce a protein molecule that is inducible in the wild type. Describe two ways to produce a constitutive mutant through DNA change. How these two types of constitutive mutants are differentiated genetically.

Concept introduction:

A mutant strain can continuously synthesize a protein because of a mutation in the regulatory gene is known as a constitutive mutant. The regulatory gene is always expressed or not switched off. A strain with a mutation in the lac operon is an example of a constitutive mutant. The lac operon mutation can lead to the transcription of the lac genes in the absence of lactose in the medium.

Explanation of Solution

Formation of a constitutive mutant:

  • A constitutive mutant can be produced if the altered repressor protein not able to recognize the operator due to mutation.
  • A constitutive mutant can be produced if an operator locus not able to interact with the normal repressor due to mutation.

In both cases, the mutation can lead to continuous production of the protein. The two constitutive mutants can be differentiated genetically by the cis-trans test or a complementation test in merodiploid cells. This test is used to find whether the mutations found in the two mutant strains are in different genes or not.

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Chapter 11 Solutions

Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)

Ch. 11.4 - Prob. 1MQCh. 11.4 - Prob. 2MQCh. 11.4 - Prob. 1CRCh. 11.5 - Which protein, found in virtually all cells,...Ch. 11.5 - Explain the fate of transferred chromosomal DNA if...Ch. 11.5 - Prob. 3MQCh. 11.5 - What are heteroduplex regions of DNA and what...Ch. 11.6 - During transformation a cell usually incorporates...Ch. 11.6 - In genetic transformation, what is meant by the...Ch. 11.6 - QExplain why recipient cells do not successfully...Ch. 11.7 - Prob. 1MQCh. 11.7 - What is the major difference between generalized...Ch. 11.7 - Why is phage conversion considered beneficial to...Ch. 11.7 - QExplain how a generalized transducing particle...Ch. 11.8 - In conjugation, how are donor and recipient cells...Ch. 11.8 - Explain how rolling circle DNA replication allows...Ch. 11.8 - QWhat is a sex pilus and which cell type, F or F+,...Ch. 11.9 - In conjugation involving the F plasmid of...Ch. 11.9 - Prob. 2MQCh. 11.9 - Prob. 3MQCh. 11.9 - QWhat is a merodiploid and how does an F plasmid...Ch. 11.10 - Why is it usually more difficult to select...Ch. 11.10 - Why do penicillins not kill species of Archaea?Ch. 11.10 - Explain one type of conjugation in Archaea and how...Ch. 11.11 - Prob. 1MQCh. 11.11 - What is the significance of the terminal inverted...Ch. 11.11 - How can transposons be used in bacterial genetics?Ch. 11.11 - Prob. 1CRCh. 11.12 - Why is the CRISPR system considered a prokaryotic...Ch. 11.12 - Prob. 2MQCh. 11.12 - QExplain why incoming DNA recognized by a short...Ch. 11 - A constitutive mutant is a strain that...Ch. 11 - Although a large number of mutagenic chemicals are...Ch. 11 - Why is it difficult in a single experiment to...Ch. 11 - Prob. 4AQ
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