You Are Studying Swimming Motility in a Pathogenic Bacillus

question 25

Essay

You are studying swimming motility in a pathogenic bacillus. You create mutations in random genes and then test which mutations effect swimming motility by looking at the mutant cells under the microscope. One of the mutant bacteria cannot swim anymore, but still rotates around in one spot when you watch them. Using electron microscopy you discover that some parts of the flagella are still present in the cell wall, but no long flagella are visible. Which gene do you think is mutated (i.e., missing) and which motility-related parts are still present in this mutant?

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Definitions:

Net Present Value

A method used in capital budgeting to assess the profitability of an investment or project, calculating the difference between the present value of cash inflows and outflows.

Present Value

The current worth of a future sum of money or stream of cash flows given a specified rate of return, taking into account the time value of money.

Average Rate of Return

A financial ratio that represents the expected annual earnings of an investment as a percentage of its initial cost.

Average Investment

The sum of the initial investment and the value at the end of the investment period divided by two, often used in calculating returns.