Ch. 7 - Microbial Genetics

Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition

Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook

Bauman 6th Edition

Ch. 7 - Microbial Genetics

Problem 13

Chapter 7, Problem 13

Which of the following statements is true?

a. Conjugation requires a sex pilus extending from the surface of a cell.
b. Conjugation involves a C factor.
c. Conjugation is an artificial genetic engineering technique.
d. Conjugation involves DNA that has been released into the environment.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the process of bacterial conjugation. Conjugation is a natural mechanism of horizontal gene transfer between bacteria, where genetic material is transferred directly from one cell to another through physical contact.

Step 2: Analyze option (a): Conjugation requires a sex pilus extending from the surface of a donor cell. The sex pilus is a specialized appendage that facilitates the connection between donor and recipient cells during conjugation.

Step 3: Analyze option (b): Conjugation involves an F factor (fertility factor), which is a plasmid that carries genes necessary for pilus formation and DNA transfer. The term 'C factor' is incorrect in this context.

Step 4: Analyze option (c): Conjugation is a natural process, not an artificial genetic engineering technique. Artificial techniques include transformation and transduction or laboratory methods like recombinant DNA technology.

Step 5: Analyze option (d): DNA released into the environment is involved in transformation, not conjugation. Conjugation requires direct cell-to-cell contact, not free DNA uptake.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Bacterial Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a natural process of horizontal gene transfer where genetic material is exchanged between bacterial cells through direct contact. It typically involves the formation of a sex pilus, which connects donor and recipient cells, allowing transfer of DNA such as plasmids.

F Factor (Fertility Factor)

The F factor is a plasmid that carries genes necessary for the formation of the sex pilus and initiation of conjugation. Cells possessing the F factor (F+) can transfer DNA to F- cells, making it essential for conjugation to occur.

Distinction Between Conjugation and Other Genetic Transfer Methods

Conjugation differs from transformation and transduction; it requires cell-to-cell contact and a sex pilus, unlike transformation which involves uptake of free DNA from the environment. It is a natural process, not an artificial genetic engineering technique.

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Horizontal Gene Transfer

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which of the following are called “jumping genes”?

a. Hfr cells

b. Transducing phages

c. Palindromic sequences

d. Transposons

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Textbook Question

Fill in the following table:

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Textbook Question

Transcription produces:

a. DNA molecules

b. RNA molecules

c. Polypeptides

d. Palindromes

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Textbook Question

Although two cells are totally unrelated, one cell receives DNA from the other cell and incorporates this new DNA into its chromosome. This process is ___________.

a. crossing over of DNA from the two cells

b. vertical gene transfer

c. horizontal gene transfer

d. transposition

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Textbook Question

Cells that have the ability to take up DNA from their environment are said to be ___________.

a. Hfr cells

b. transposing

c. genomic

d. competent