Question

A mutant strain of T4 – Bacteriophage, R-II, fails to lyse the E-Coli but when two strains R−IIX and R−IIY are mixed then they lyse the E.Coli. What may be the possible reason : -

Answer 1

are mixed then they lyse the

Answer 2

Answer:

A bacteriophage needs to express genes for several proteins which are required for lysis of the bacterial cells. These proteins are responsible for generating pores in the membrane of the bacteria that leads to lysis.

However, in mutant bacteriophage, it may be a possibility that the genes responsible for the production of these proteins have undergone mutation and thereby fails to perform lysis.

When a wild type bacteriophage( having no mutation) is mixed with the mutant variety then again lysis of the cells occurs as the proteins are now synthesized by the wild type and thereby acts on the bacterial cells( trans acting).