Toxin production by Corynebacterium diphtheria is due to ?: (A) Chromosomal mutation, (B) Presence of plasmid, (C) Lysogenic conversion, (D) Transformation
Answer is C. Ans. is 'c' i.e., Lysogenic conversion o The toxigenicity of the diphtheria bacilli depends on the presence in it of corynephages (tox +). Nontoxigenic strains may be rendered toxigenic by infecting them with beta phage or some other larger phage. This is known as lysogenic conversion or phage conversion.