Genetics: Bacterial Genetics and Specialized Transduction

luna02525

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Compare and contrast the transfer of the F factor and the lambda phage during conjugation under the following conditions:

a) Hfr([tex]\lambda[/tex]) x F-
b) Hfr x F- ([tex]\lambda[/tex])
c) Hfr([tex]\lambda[/tex]) x F-([tex]\lambda[/tex])

3. The attempt at a solution

a) Hfr infects F- which is non-immune --> lysis occurs

c) Hfr tries to infect F- with lambda already inserted: immune---> no lysis

The transfer where F- already has lambda inserted I'm not sure of what happens. The other two are textbook. My guess would be that Hfr infects F- and excises phage lambda out of the F- which would be non-immune but I don't think lysis would occur.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.