Final answer:
Theoretically, up to 100% of the E. coli Hfr strain genome could be transferred during a 100-minute conjugation period. However, full transfer is unlikely due to frequent interruptions during conjugation.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you were making E. coli genes and let the conjugation go for 100 minutes, approximately what percentage of the genome would be transferred?
In the topic of conjugation involving E. coli, the full process of transferring the entire bacterial chromosome from an Hfr cell to an F- cell takes roughly 100 minutes, covering around 4.6 Mbp of the genome. However, due to the transient nature of contact during conjugation, the entire chromosome is seldom fully transferred. Hfr strains of E. coli have an integrated F plasmid, which can attempt to transfer chromosomal DNA to an F- cell during conjugation. Genes that are closer to the integration site of the F plasmid are more likely to be transferred quickly and recombined into the recipient cell's chromosome than those farther away. Given that it takes approximately 100 minutes to transfer the entire 4.6 Mbp genome of an Hfr strain of E. coli via conjugation, if the conjugation process was allowed to proceed for 100 minutes, theoretically, up to 100% of the genome could be transferred, depending on the stability and duration of the mating bridge. Yet, it is unlikely that 100% transfer would occur due to the interruptions that frequently happen during conjugation. Therefore, it is safe to approximate that a significant portion, but not necessarily all, of the genome could be transferred in 100 minutes.