Question

Many bacteria are able to pass small pieces of the hereditary information on their DNA from one bacterial cell to another. This can sometimes result in an increase in the number of drug-resistant bacteria. What name is given to the process by which one bacteria transfers DNA to another? A) sporolysis B) conjugation C) gamete transfer D) haploid translocation Eliminate

Answer 1

The answer is CONJUGATION, (B)

Answer 2

The right answer is B) conjugation

Bacteria multiply by binary fission, asexually. A mother cell will give two genetically identical daughter cells, so genetic mixing is virtually non-existent. To overcome this, there are 3 major mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer:

* transformation: incorporation of naked DNA from the environment directly into the bacteria

* transduction: transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another via a phage

* conjugation: transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another by direct contact.