Biology Now (Second Edition)
Biology Now (Second Edition)
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780393631807
Author: Anne Houtman, Megan Scudellari, Cindy Malone
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
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Chapter 4, Problem 1TQ
Summary Introduction

Mycoplasma is a type of bacteria that are mostly pathogenic to humans and animals. Mycoplasma lacks cell wall and all of them are resistant to a wide spectrum of antibiotics.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Answer to Problem 1TQ

To differentiate the DNA of Mycoplasma capricolum from the synthetic DNA of Mycoplasma mycoides, Daniel Gibson added a gene that encodes for a blue pigment.

Therefore, option (c) is correct.

Explanation of Solution

Justify reasons for the correct statement:

Gene is the hereditary material composed of nucleotides in the form of DNA. Any defects in the gene in terms of mutation will be reflected in the phenotype. Any outcomes of phenotypic expression characterized in the cells are nothing but the product from the gene. Gene that codes for blue pigment is incorporated in Mycoplasma capricolum to recognize the transformed bacterial colony.

Option (c) is given as “gene”.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Justify reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (a) is given as “cell”.

The cell is functional unit of all living organisms. Mycoplasma is a prokaryotic cell that itself cannot be used to differentiate the bacterial colony with the synthetic DNA. Gene coding for a blue pigment can be used to recognize the transformed bacterial colony. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given as “chromosome”.

Chromosome is a condensed DNA structure present inside nucleus that contains numerous gene and not a single gene. Gene coding for a blue pigment can be used to recognize the transformed bacterial colony. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given as “bacterium”.

The bacterium is a cell and it is a general term that depicts all bacterial communities. A single bacterium hosts numerous genes in plasmid and nucleoid. Gene coding for a blue pigment can be used to recognize the transformed bacterial colony. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Gene is a functional hereditary unit on DNA, and its expression and product brings the phenotypic changes in an organism.

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