Final answer:
It is false that when F+ and F- bacterial cells are mixed, all will eventually become F+. The transfer of the F plasmid through conjugation does not guarantee that every F- cell will become F+, and not all F plasmids transfer in a way that results in F+ cells due to other eventualities like Hfr cell formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the process by which F+ bacterial cells, which contain a fertility plasmid (F plasmid), can transfer genetic material to F- cells through a process called bacterial conjugation. The assertion that when F+ cells are mixed with F- cells, eventually all the cells will become F+ is false.
During conjugation, a conjugation pilus (or mating bridge) forms between an F+ cell and an F- cell, allowing the transfer of a copy of the F plasmid to the F- cell, which may then become F+. However, this process does not guarantee that all F- cells will acquire the plasmid and transform into F+ cells. Some cells might not conjugate, and there are also instances where the F plasmid may integrate into the bacterial chromosome, forming an Hfr (high frequency of recombination) cell instead of a simple F+ cell. Furthermore, conditions such as imprecise excision can lead to the formation of F' plasmids carrying chromosomal DNA, which are different from the original F plasmids.