Devise an experiment to identify bacteria that are auxotrophic and unable to produce two amino acids, lysine (lys) and valine (val). The auxotrophic bacteria are in a pool of bacteria in which all the other bacteria are prototrophic. The genotype of the auxotrophs is lys⁻ val⁻. Describe each step in the experiment, identify the constituents in any growth medium or growth plates you propose, and identify the results that will conclusively identify bacteria that are lys⁻ val⁻.
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses
Working with Microorganisms
Struggling with Genetics?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following is NOT a way scientists can phenotypically identify a bacterial mutation?
A
Changes in colony morphology
B
Antibiotic resistance
C
Creation of an auxotroph
D
Sequencing the genome

1
Understand that phenotypic identification involves observing physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism.
Recognize that changes in colony morphology refer to visible alterations in the shape, size, or color of bacterial colonies, which can indicate a mutation.
Acknowledge that antibiotic resistance is a phenotypic trait where bacteria survive in the presence of antibiotics, suggesting a genetic mutation.
Identify that the creation of an auxotroph involves a mutation that results in the inability of bacteria to synthesize a particular compound necessary for its growth, which is a phenotypic change.
Realize that sequencing the genome is a genotypic method, involving the analysis of DNA sequences to identify mutations, rather than observing phenotypic traits.
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Working with Microorganisms practice set
