A bacterium is infected with an experimentally constructed bacteriophage composed of the T2 phage protein coat and T4 phage DNA. The new phages produced would have
A) T2 protein and T4 DNA.
B) T2 protein and T2 DNA.
C) a mixture of the DNA and proteins of both phages.
D) T4 protein and T4 DNA.
E) T4 protein and T2 DNA.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The new phages produced would have T4 protein and T4 DNA because the phage's protein coat determines the initial infection process, but the DNA inside dictates the new phages' characteristics. Since the constructed bacteriophage has T4 DNA, the new phages produced will follow the genetic information of T4, leading to the production of T4 protein and replication of T4 DNA.

A Bacterium Is Infected with an Experimentally Constructed Bacteriophage Composed