16. Microbial Genetics

During conjugation, the ____ cell transfers its ___________ to the recipient cell.

What is the purpose of the conjugative plasmid in conjugation?

What is the process where DNA is transferred from one bacterial cell to another through a pilus?

Which of the following statements about conjugation is true?

Which of the following statements about conjugation is false?

i. Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer.
ii. Conjugation forms a bridge between two bacterial cells called a plasmid.
iii. Conjugation involves the transfer of genetic information via bacteriophages.

For a bacterium to be able to conjugate it must possess a _____ with genes that encode a _____.

Plasmids differ from transposons in that plasmids

a. become inserted into chromosomes.

b. are self-replicated outside the chromosome.

c. move from chromosome to chromosome.

d. carry genes for antibiotic resistance.

e. none of the above

You are attempting to insert a gene for saltwater tolerance into a plant by using the Ti plasmid. In addition to the desired gene, you add a gene for tetracycline resistance (tet) to the plasmid. What is the purpose of the tet gene?

During ___________ a pilus forms between an F⁺ and an F⁻cell and allows for the exchange of genetic material. By the end of the process, the previously F⁻ cell is converted to a(n) ___________ cell.