Multiple choice

What is the minimum genome size essential for packaging of the lambda vector into phage heads?

The lambda genome contains an origin of replication, genes for head and tail proteins and enzymes for DNA, lysis and lysogeny, and single-stranded protruding cohesive ends of 12 bases.The lambda genome remains linear in phage heads, but within E.coli cells the two cohesive ends join to form a circular molecule necessary for replication.

  1. 38kb

  2. 52kb

  3. 45kb

  4. 24kb

  5. none of these
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The lambda DNA must be larger than 38kb. The genes for lysogeny are located between 20 and 38kb, the whole or part of this segment is deleted to create lambda vectors to accommodate larger DNA inserts and to ensure that the recombinant phage is always lytic.

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