You insert a gene for tetracycline resistance into one plasmid and a gene for ampicillin resistance into another plasmid of the same incompatability group.You successfully introduce both plasmids into a sample of E.coli cells,and surprisingly succeed in obtaining growth in culture medium with both antibiotics present in it.What likely happened?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most likely explanation for obtaining growth in culture medium with both antibiotics present is that one or both of the plasmids have integrated into the bacterial chromosome. This would mean that the antibiotic resistance genes are now part of the bacterial genome and are not limited to the small, unstable plasmids. Integration of plasmids into the chromosome can occur via homologous recombination or transposition events.

You Insert a Gene for Tetracycline Resistance into One Plasmid