Using mutants 2 and 3 from Problem 19, following mixed infection on E. coli B, progeny viruses were plated in a series of dilutions on both E. coli B and K12 with the following results. What is the recombination frequency between the two mutants? Strain Plated Dilution Plaques E. coli B 10⁻⁵ 2 E. coli K12 10⁻¹ 5

Key Concepts

Recombination Frequency

Recombination frequency is a measure of the likelihood that two alleles will be separated during meiosis due to crossing over. It is calculated as the number of recombinant offspring divided by the total number of offspring, often expressed as a percentage. In the context of viral genetics, it helps determine the genetic distance between two mutants based on their progeny.

Mutants in Genetics

Mutants are organisms that have undergone a change in their DNA sequence, resulting in a new phenotype. In the context of the question, mutants 2 and 3 refer to specific strains of viruses that have distinct genetic variations. Studying these mutants allows researchers to understand genetic interactions and the mechanisms of recombination.

Plaque Assay

A plaque assay is a method used to quantify the number of viral particles in a sample by measuring the number of plaques formed on a bacterial lawn. Each plaque represents a zone of lysis caused by a single virus infecting a bacterial cell. This technique is essential for determining the infectivity and recombination of viruses in mixed infections.