Upon infection of an Escherichia coli bacterial cell, all manufactured bacteriophage particles contain a mixture of bacteriophage DNA and the same specific segment of host DNA. Based on this observation, choose the false statement(s). To be marked correct, you’ll need to select all false statements, as there may be more than one correct answer.

• The host DNA found in each of the bacteriophage particles is independent of the bacteriophage DNA sequence.
• The host's chromosomal DNA had to be fragmented in order for it to get packed into the bacteriophage particles.

Explanation

The scenario is describing specialized transduction. - This statement is correct - There are two types of transduction; generalized and specialized. In generalized transduction, the bacteriophage can pick up any portion of the host genome, while specialized transduction, the bacteriophage picks up only specific portions of the host's genome.

The bacteriophage involved in this scenario is best classified as a temperate bacteriophage - This statement is correct - Temperate bacteriophage can choose to either undergo a lytic cycle or lysogenic cycle. With the former, the virus replicates and ruptures the host cell, while in the latter, the virus remains dormant within the host cell until induction.

The host DNA found in each of the bacteriophage particles is independent of the bacteriophage DNA sequence. - This statement is incorrect - While the temperate virus is replicating, the excision process is not accurate and the resulting bacteriophage particles incorporate some host DNA sequences. However, according to Fletcher, Hickey, & Winter (P. 168), the bacteriophage can only incorporate host DNA that is contagious to its site of integration which is termed as restricted transduction.

The host's chromosomal DNA had to be fragmented in order for it to get packed into the bacteriophage particles - This statement is incorrect - The host DNA is not fragmented so as to be inserted into the bacteriophage DNA. Each section of host DNA is packaged and integrated into the bacteriophage wholly.

Reference

Instant Notes in Genetics

By Hugh Fletcher, Ivor Hickey, Paul Winter Page 168