One of the classical way to study the function of any unknown "gene" is to mutate it & study the cell functioning.It has been successful for prokaryotes. In one such study in eukaryotes, in order to determine the function of a mouse gene 'X', a plasmid was constructed which contained the gene 'X'. Then the 'gene neor ('promoter less' gene that assigns neomycin resistance to the cells) was introduced within the gene 'X'. Mouse stem cells transfected with this plasmid were cultured in vitro in a neomycin containing medium and only a few cells survived. Note that stem cells are sensitive to neomycin.
State whether each of the following statements is true (T) or false (F).
a. The expression of the neo gene from the plasmid conferred resistance and allowed the cells to grow in media containing neomycin. ________
b. The cells that grew in the culture media are likely to have mutant 'X' gene in the genome. ________
c. It can be deduced that gene 'X' is crucial for cell growth as most of the stem cells died in culture media. ________
d. In vivo multiplication of plasmid led to its lateral transfer to other cells, making them antibiotic resistant. ________
e. The gene for antibiotic resistance got transferred by homologous recombination in stem cells. ________
