Question 1

Which of the following best describes horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Genes are transferred laterally between cells of the same generation, often involving recombination.

Question 2

Which mechanism of horizontal gene transfer involves the uptake of naked DNA fragments from the environment by a bacterial cell?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Question 3

A bacterium acquires antibiotic resistance after being infected by a bacteriophage that previously infected a resistant bacterium. Which process is responsible?

Accepted Answer

Transduction

Question 4

Which structure is essential for bacterial conjugation to occur?

Accepted Answer

Pilus

Question 5

During conjugation, what is transferred from the donor to the recipient cell?

Accepted Answer

A strand of the F plasmid DNA

Question 6

Which of the following is a key difference between vertical and horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal gene transfer occurs between unrelated cells of the same generation, while vertical gene transfer occurs from parent to offspring.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why horizontal gene transfer is significant in the spread of antibiotic resistance?

Accepted Answer

It allows rapid dissemination of resistance genes among bacteria, even across species.

Question 8

A scientist observes that a non-resistant bacterial population becomes resistant after exposure to DNA fragments from dead resistant cells. Which process is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Transformation

Question 9

Which of the following steps is NOT part of the conjugation process in bacteria?

Accepted Answer

Recipient cell engulfs the donor cell

Question 10

In the context of horizontal gene transfer, what is the role of homologous recombination?

Accepted Answer

It allows integration of transferred DNA into the recipient's chromosome by exchanging similar nucleotide sequences.

Question 11

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates transduction?

Accepted Answer

A bacteriophage accidentally packages host DNA and transfers it to another bacterium.

Question 12

Which of the following is a dead end for the phage but beneficial for the bacterium in horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

Transduction

Question 13

A hospital outbreak of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is traced to the spread of a resistance gene via a plasmid. Which mechanism is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Conjugation

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the outcome for a recipient cell after successful conjugation with an F+ donor?

Accepted Answer

It becomes an F+ cell capable of forming a pilus.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in prokaryotes?

Accepted Answer

Binary fission

Question 16

A researcher wants to prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in a bacterial population. Which strategy would be most effective?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting pilus formation to block conjugation

Question 17

Which of the following equations best represents the process of homologous recombination during horizontal gene transfer?

Accepted Answer

$$DNA_{donor} + DNA_{recipient} \rightarrow Recombinant\ DNA$$

Question 18

Which of the following statements about the F plasmid is correct?

Accepted Answer

It enables the formation of a pilus for conjugation.

Question 19

A bacterium that has just received DNA via transformation is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A recombinant cell

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why transduction is considered a 'dead end' for the phage?

Accepted Answer

The phage cannot replicate because it carries bacterial DNA instead of its own genome.

Horizontal Gene Transfer in Prokaryotes: Mechanisms and Implications

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