Chapter 12, Problem 21P

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

The question asked to define heteroduplex DNA and explain the reason behind the formation of heteroduplex DNA.

The question also asked to describe the relationship betweenheteroduplex DNA and gene conversion.

Introduction:

Transformation is led by the lysis, or damage, of a donor cell and the transfer of a fragmented genome from the donor chromosome. The receiver bacterial cell is able to up take double stranded transforming DNA.

The path of transforming DNA through the cell membrane and cell wall of receiver is complemented by the breakdown of one of the strands. The lasting strand of transforming DNA aligns with complementary section of the receiverchromosome $2$. The action of some enzymes is activated by the alignment. These enzymesremove one strand of the chromosome of the receiver cell and replace it with the transforming DNA strand. Heteroduplex DNA results from this recombination event.