A foreign DNA fragment is ligated at the BamHI site of the tetracycline resistance gene ( tet^ R ) in the cloning vector pBR322. The resulting recombinant plasmid is introduced into competent E. coli cells. Which of the following correctly describes the growth characteristics of the recombinant transformants?

Step-by-step solution

The cloning vector pBR322 contains two antibiotic resistance genes: ampicillin resistance ( amp^ R ) and tetracycline resistance ( tet^ R ). The restriction site for the enzyme BamHI is located within the tetracycline resistance gene ( tet^ R ). When a foreign DNA fragment is ligated at the BamHI site, the tet^ R gene is disrupted. This process is known as insertional inactivation. Due to this insertional inactivation, the recombinant plasmid loses its ability to confer resistance to tetracycline, while the ampicil