Question

In a mixed infection experiment, you study two plaque phenotypes of large (l+) versus small (l) and bumpy

(b+) versus smooth (b). You mix small (l b+) with smooth (l+ b) and identify 50 small, smooth and 47 large,
bumpy. How far apart are the genes?
A) 490
B) 99
C) 49
D) 1000
E) There is not enough information to calculate the distance.

Answer 1

In a mixed infection experiment, the distance between the genes cannot be calculated based on the given information.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a mixed infection experiment, two plaque phenotypes were studied: large (l+) versus small (l) and bumpy (b+) versus smooth (b). By mixing small (l b+) with smooth (l+ b), 50 small, smooth plaques and 47 large, bumpy plaques were identified. To calculate the distance between the genes, we subtract the number of recombinant offspring (small, smooth and large, bumpy) from the total offspring. So, the distance between the genes is 50 - 47 = 3. The correct answer is not provided in the options, therefore, the answer is E) There is not enough information to calculate the distance.