EXCHANGE OF DNA IN THE RECOMBINATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE λ

Abstract

In genetic crosses between phage of different densities, the recombinants can be physically separated from the parents. When one of the parents is labeled with P32 and the genetic markers are far apart, most of the P32 transferred to the progeny of genotypes different from that of the labeled parent is found in the recombinants. Breakdown and reutilization of the parental material is probably negligible. The simplest model accounting for these facts is one in which the recombinants are formed by breaks of the 2 parental materials.