Answer:
Q: In the genetic exchange experiment, why was the Hfr
strain unable to obtain the genetic material it needed to survive
on the plate
- Hfr or the F+ cells are the donor cells whereas
F- cells are the recipient cells.
- The gene transfer in E.coli cells is non-reciprocal, therefore,
one of the strain acts as the donor strain and the other strain
acts as the recipient strain (that receives the genetic
material).
- The donor strain contains transmissible fertility factor
(F+) whereas the recipient strain is F-.
- F+ can also acts as a recipient strain but
F- cannot act as a donor strain. Hfr strains also called
high frequency recombinants are capable of transmitting chromosomal
genes in high frequency.
- Conjugation event is represented as. Hfr (donor) x
F- (recipient)
- F- cells are without
F plasmid and therefore, these cells can only act
as recipient cells and they cannot donate the
genetic material to Hfr cells. As a result of this, in the genetic
exchange experiment, the Hfr strain was unable to obtain the
genetic material it needed to survive on the plate.