The Toxin Gene in Corynebacterium Diphtheriae is Located On

Question

The toxin gene in Corynebacterium diphtheriae is located on
A) the plasmid.
B) mobile genes called transposons.
C) bacterial chromosomes.
D) lysogenic phage genomes.
E) the plasma membrane.

Accepted Answer

The toxin gene in Corynebacterium diphtheriae is located on lysogenic phage genomes. When the bacterium is infected by a specific bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria), it can become toxigenic due to the integration of the phage genome carrying the toxin gene into the bacterial genome.