Final answer:
The transposition of the Tn10 and Ac/Ds elements in maize and bacteria does not strictly require fully methylated donor DNA, but the presence of a functional transposase enzyme, particularly the Ac element providing transposase for Ds element transposition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transposition of Tn10 in bacteria and the Ac/Ds elements in maize does not specifically require the donor DNA to be fully methylated. In bacteria, DNA methylation can affect the activity of some transposable elements, although not always necessary for transposition to occur.
In maize, the Ac/Ds system's activity is determined by the presence of a functional transposase enzyme, which the Ds element lacks. The Ds element is non-autonomous and relies on the autonomous Ac element to provide the transposase needed for movement.
Methylation status before DNA replication could influence transposition, but it is not a definitive requirement for transposition of Tn10 or Ac/Ds elements. Barbara McClintock's pioneering work in maize established the concept of transposons, further showing the sophisticated adaptability of these genetic elements.