Date of Award:

5-1-1973

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Zoology

Committee Chair(s)

John R. Simmons

Committee

John R. Simmons

Abstract

Competition between lambda and 434 hy mi and lambda and phi80 was investigated, making use of long-term transfer experiments to follow evolutionary trends of the phage populations. The competitive superiority of lambda at 37 C is shown by the elimination of 434 hy mi and phi80 from mixed populations. A reversal in the outcome of competition between lambda and phi80 was observed when the phages were grown at low temperature. The temporal course and final outcome of competition appear to be genetically determined responses of the phages to their specific environment. No relation between phage yield per cell and advantage in competition was observed, suggesting that the phages compete for metabolic precursors rather than for space. Alterations in the parameters of phage growth suggest that competitive effects do not involve the maturation process per se.

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