The gene atg-12 codes for a protein associated with abnormal rates of cell destruction and recycling of cell contents. Scientists studying bacterial plasmids devised an experiment using recombinant...

The gene atg-12 codes for a protein associated with abnormal rates of cell destruction and recycling of cell contents. Scientists studying bacterial plasmids devised an experiment using recombinant DNA techniques to remove a section of DNA (gene atg-12) of a bacterial plasmid (pOKE103) and create a new plasmid (pOKE104) that did not contain the gene atg-12. The new plasmid was then incorporated within the DNA of the fungus Neurospora crassa in cellular studies.

Which statement explains the expected heredity of fungi that incorporate pOKE104?

A - Fungi that incorporate pOKE104 will produce the protein from gene atg-12 and have increased rates of malignant tumors.

B - Fungi that incorporate pOKE104 will not produce the protein from gene atg-12 but will have a normal appearance.

C - The prokaryotic DNA will remain separate within the fungal cells, produce the protein from gene atg-12, and have increased rates of malignant tumors.

D - The prokaryotic DNA will remain separate within the fungal cells and not produce the protein from gene atg-12, but will have a normal appearance.