Final answer:
The interrupted mating technique is used to generate a genetic map in E. coli. By interrupting the mating process at different times, the timing and order of gene transfer can be determined. This allows for the creation of a genetic map that shows the distance between genes on the E. coli chromosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The interrupted mating technique is a method used to generate a genetic map in E. coli. In this technique, different Hfr strains of E. coli are mated with F- bacteria, each with mutations in known bacterial genes.
The mating process is interrupted at different times after the formation of a conjugation tube. The recipient cells from each disrupted conjugation are then analyzed for specific gene function.
By examining the timing of gene transfer to the recipient cell, the order of genes and their distance from each other can be determined, creating a genetic map of E. coli