Question

What are the three types of genetic recombination in bacteria?

Answer 1

Genetic recombination in bacteria:

1. Genetic material is transferred from one cell to another during recombination in bacteria.
2. Because bacteria can share genes that enable them to thrive in various settings and exposure to antibiotics, genetic recombination is advantageous to them.

This process takes place in 3 ways:

1. Transduction
2. Transformation
3. Conjugation

Transduction

1. Transduction is the process by which viruses move DNA from one bacterium to another.
2. A virus infects a bacterium by injecting its genetic material and hijacking the organism's ability to synthesise DNA, RNA, and proteins.
3. The DNA of the host and the viral genetic material can occasionally combine.
4. The virus induces the host to make many copies of the virus genome and any accompanying host genes.
5. The cell then bursts as a result of the virus, releasing fresh virus particles to continue the cycle.
6. This results in the fusion of genes from one host with those from another, maybe from a different species.

Transformation

1. Before transformation takes place, the bacteria must first reach a unique state called competence.
2. The bacterium must turn on several genes that express the necessary proteins in order to become competent.
3. DNA from the same species is typically transformed by bacteria.

Conjugation

1. The bacterial equivalent of sex is conjugation.
2. It involves direct physical contact between two cells, possibly through the use of a pilus, a bridge structure.
3. The receiver must not have the F-plasmid, a brief fragment of DNA present only in donor cells.
4. A single strand of DNA from the F-plasmid is provided by the donor cell and transferred to the recipient.