Question

Consider the diagram of the basic structure of a bacterium.

Which of the labeled structures in the image allows bacteria to exchange genetic material and thus evolve to be better
pathogens?

Answer 1

To add on to the above answer, bacteria can exchange materials via transformation, conjugation or transduction, all of which enable bacteria to evolve to be better pathogens. The structures involved in each of these processes differ although the common structure involved would be DNA.

Answer 2

There are three main genetic exchange mechanisms in bacteria: transformation, conjugation and transduction

Step-by-step explanation:

In transformation, bacteria use their membrane to incorporate external genetic material

In conjugation bacteria use something called pillus, this is like a hair in the membrane that acts as a bridge between two bacteria. Through this mechanism, two bacteria can share genes or circular DNA

In transduction, the genetic exchange is given by a virus that leaves the DNA of other bacteria inside the cell