Question

In Meselson and Stahl’s experiment, how long would it take for the parent E.coli bacteria to multiply and reach the third generation?

• A. 20 minutes
• B. 60 minutes
• C. 40 minutes
• D. 90 minutes

Answer 1

The correct option is B 60 minutes

The average time taken by the parent E.coli to complete one round of replication is about 20 minutes. Considering this, it could be calculated that the first 20 minutes would result in the first generation. At the end of 40 minutes, the second generation would be formed, and by the end of 60 minutes, the third generation would be formed. G0 $\stackrel{20minutes}{\to }$ G1$\stackrel{20minutes}{\to }$ G2 $\stackrel{20minutes}{\to }$G3