Imagine an Experiment in Which the Nitrogen-Fixing Capacity of a Nitrogen-Fixing

question 129

Multiple Choice

Imagine an experiment in which the nitrogen-fixing capacity of a nitrogen-fixing bacterium is selectively knocked out (all other functions remain intact) . This knockout strain is then placed in competition with an unaltered bacterium (the control) under two circumstances: one in which ammonia and other sources of fixed nitrogen are abundant, and one in which these sources are limiting (only N₂ is readily available) . Assume that the nitrogen-fixing capacity in the control is present all the time (not regulated) . Which of the following would be the most likely result?

• A) The knockout strain would outcompete the control strain in the abundant condition and lose to the control strain in the limiting condition.
• B) The knockout strain would outcompete the control strain in the abundant condition and be competitively equal to the control strain in the limiting condition.
• C) The knockout strain would outcompete the control strain in both conditions.
• D) The knockout strain would outcompete the control strain in the limiting condition and be competitively equal in the abundant condition.
• E) The knockout strain would outcompete the control strain in the limiting condition and lose to the control strain in the abundant condition.

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