Question

What is the adaptation hypothesis?

A) The bacteria will mutate so it can become an auxotroph.
B) The phage mutates to infect bacteria more effectively.
C) The phage mutates so it can't infect bacteria any longer.
D) The phage and bacteria both mutate so the phage becomes less virulent.
E) The phage stimulates the bacteria to mutate to become immune to the phage.

Answer 1

The adaptation hypothesis in this context suggests that bacteriophages and bacteria both undergo mutations in order to adapt and survive. Specifically, bacteriophages can stimulate bacteria to mutate and become immune to future phage infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The adaptation hypothesis in this context refers to the idea that bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and bacteria both undergo mutations in order to adapt and survive in their respective environments.

Option E) The phage stimulates the bacteria to mutate to become immune to the phage is the correct answer. Bacteriophages can stimulate bacteria to acquire new genetic material, such as spacer DNAs, which act as a primitive adaptive immune system.

This adaptation allows the bacteria to become immune to future phage infections, giving them an evolutionary advantage.