4.2 Bacterial Conjugation Flashcards
When were the first studies showing the process of bacterial conjugation?
1946
What is conjugation?
process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another bacterium via direct contact
What are auxotrophs?
bacterial strains that lack essential nutrients or amino acids
Where can auxotrophs NOT grow?
minimal media
What did Lederberg and Tatum demonstrate?
conjugation using two strains of E coli
in Lederberg and Tatum’s experiment what could strain A not grow without?
methionine
biotin
In Lederberg and Tatum’s experiment what could strain B not grow without?
threonine
leucine
thiamine
What occured when the two strains were combined to grow on minimal media?
they were able to because of conjugation
Who are the F+ cells and who are the F- cells?
F+ = bacteria that donates genes
F- = recipients of donor genes
What is needed in order for conjugation to occur?
physical cell to cell contact
What is needed to facilitate the process of conjugation?
F-pilus
What is the fertility factor?
circular double stranded DNA molecule known as a plasmid
What must cells that can donor their genes contain?
fertility factor
What is a plasmid?
double stranded circular DNA molecule
Where do plasmids exist?
in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells
