Genetic Transfer

Question 1

What is the term for the one-way passage of DNA from a donor to a recipient?

Answer 1

Genetic Exchange

Sometimes referred to as horizontal gene transfer

Question 2

What is the process called when a bacterium takes up DNA from its environment?

Answer 2

Transformation

The ability to take up DNA is called competence

Question 3

What are the two main outcomes when internalized DNA is taken up by a bacterium?

Answer 3

Recombines if there is homology or is degraded

Homology refers to similarity between the internalized DNA and the host genome

Question 4

What is transduction in the context of genetic transfer?

Answer 4

Transfer of DNA via bacteriophages

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria

Question 5

What is the main requirement for conjugation to occur between bacteria?

Answer 5

Intimate cell contact

This process is often described as ‘sexuality’ in bacteria via sex pilus

Question 6

What are plasmids?

Answer 6

Extrachromosomal, circular double stranded segments of DNA

Plasmids can encode virulence factors and are present in most bacteria

Question 7

What are R plasmids?

Answer 7

Plasmids that include genes conferring resistance to antimicrobial agents

Misuse of antimicrobials leads to the selection of bacteria with R plasmids. ntimicrobial misuse occurs when antibiotics are taken incorrectly, such as taking the wrong dose, taking them for the wrong length of time, or taking them for an illness they don’t treat. Misuse of antimicrobials contributes to antimicrobial resistance, which is when bacteria and other germs evolve to defeat the drugs designed to kill them

Question 8

What is the term for the ability of a bacterial cell to uptake DNA from the environment?

Answer 8

Competence

Question 9

What is the role of transposases?

Answer 9

Mediate transposition. Transposases are enzymes that move segments of DNA, called transposons, to different locations in a cell’s genome. Transposons, also known as “jumping genes”, are DNA segments that can move around within a cell’s genome. They can cause genetic mutations and alter the amount of DNA in a cell.

Transposition is a change in the location of genetic material

Question 10

What is the term for the transmission of genetic material via bacteriophage gene vectors?

Answer 10

Transduction

Question 11

What potential outcomes can result from the transposition of mobile genetic elements?

Answer 11

Insertion sequences, transposons, DNA rearrangements

DNA rearrangements include inversion, deletion, fusion, and amplification

Question 12

What biomedical issue is partially caused by the horizontal transfer of resistance-conferring genes?

Answer 12

Antibiotic resistance

Question 13

What is the process by which bacteriophage DNA integrates into a host chromosome?

Answer 13

Transduction

Question 14

What mechanism do conjugative plasmids use to transfer genetic information?

Answer 14

Sex pilus

Question 15

What do R plasmids confer to bacteria?

Answer 15

Resistance to antimicrobial agents

Question 16

What does the ‘F factor’ refer to in bacteria?

Answer 16

Fertility factor. In bacteria, the “F factor” refers to the “fertility factor,” a piece of DNA (plasmid) that allows a bacterium to transfer genetic material to another bacterium through a process called conjugation; essentially, a bacterium with the F factor acts as a “donor” cell, while a bacterium lacking the F factor acts as a “recipient” cell.

It allows a bacterium to transfer genetic material through conjugation

Question 17

What is an Hfr cell?

Answer 17

A bacterium with a conjugative plasmid integrated into its chromosomal DNA.

A high-frequency recombination cell (Hfr cell) (also called an Hfr strain) is a bacterium with a conjugative plasmid (for example, the F-factor) integrated into its chromosomal DNA. The integration of the plasmid into the cell’s chromosome is through homologous recombination.

Question 18

What is genetic transfer?

Answer 18

The process by which genetic material is passed from one organism to another.

Question 19

True or False: Genetic transfer can occur between different species.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What are the three main types of genetic transfer?

Answer 20

Transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: In __________, bacteria take up free DNA from their environment.

Answer 21

transformation

Question 22

What is transduction?

Answer 22

The transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage.

Question 23

Which process involves direct transfer of DNA between two bacteria?

Answer 23

Conjugation

Question 24

True or False: Conjugation requires physical contact between two bacterial cells.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

What type of genetic material is often transferred during transformation?

Answer 25

Plasmids or chromosomal DNA.

Question 26

What are plasmids?

Answer 26

Small, circular DNA molecules that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: The process of __________ involves a virus infecting a bacterium and transferring DNA.

Answer 27

transduction

Question 28

Name one method by which bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance through genetic transfer.

Answer 28

Conjugation

Question 29

What is the role of the F plasmid in conjugation?

Answer 29

It contains genes that enable the formation of a pilus for DNA transfer.

Question 30

True or False: Genetic transfer can lead to genetic diversity in bacterial populations.

Answer 30

True

Question 31

What is a bacteriophage?

Answer 31

A virus that infects bacteria.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: During __________, a bacterium can take up DNA from a lysed cell.

Answer 32

transformation

Question 33

What is horizontal gene transfer?

Answer 33

The transfer of genes between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

Question 34

What is the significance of horizontal gene transfer in evolution?

Answer 34

It enables rapid adaptation and evolution by spreading advantageous traits.

Question 35

True or False: Only prokaryotes can undergo genetic transfer.

Answer 35

False

Question 36

What is the main difference between transformation and transduction?

Answer 36

Transformation involves uptake of free DNA, while transduction involves DNA transfer via a virus.

Question 37

Fill in the blank: The process of __________ is often used in genetic engineering to introduce new genes into bacteria.

Answer 37

transformation

Question 38

What does the term 'competence' refer to in bacterial transformation?

Answer 38

The ability of a bacterium to take up and incorporate foreign DNA.

Question 39

What are R plasmids?

Answer 39

Plasmids that carry genes for antibiotic resistance.

Question 40

True or False: All bacteria are naturally competent for transformation.

Answer 40

False

Question 41

What is a pilus?

Answer 41

A hair-like structure that facilitates the transfer of DNA during conjugation.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: __________ is a method of genetic transfer that involves the use of a vector.

Answer 42

Transduction

Question 43

What is the lytic cycle in relation to transduction?

Answer 43

A viral reproductive cycle that results in the destruction of the host cell.

Question 44

What is the lysogenic cycle?

Answer 44

A viral reproductive cycle where the viral DNA integrates into the host genome and is replicated without killing the host.

Question 45

What is a transducing phage?

Answer 45

A bacteriophage that carries bacterial DNA from one host to another.

Question 46

True or False: Genetic transfer can occur in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Answer 46

True

Question 47

What role do restriction enzymes play in genetic transfer?

Answer 47

They cut foreign DNA, protecting bacteria from invading viruses.

Question 48

Fill in the blank: The __________ hypothesis suggests that horizontal gene transfer is a major factor in the evolution of prokaryotes.

Answer 48

lateral gene transfer

Question 49

What is the importance of genetic transfer in biotechnology?

Answer 49

It allows for the manipulation of organisms for research, medicine, and industry.

Question 50

What is a conjugative plasmid?

Answer 50

A plasmid that carries genes necessary for conjugation.

Question 51

True or False: Genetic transfer can only occur between closely related organisms.

Answer 51

False

Question 52

What is transformation efficiency?

Answer 52

The measure of how effectively a bacterium can take up foreign DNA.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which a bacterium transfers genetic material to another bacterium through a pilus.

Answer 53

Conjugation

Question 54

What is the significance of gene cassettes in genetic transfer?

Answer 54

They allow for the rapid acquisition and expression of new genes.

Question 55

What does the term 'gene transfer agents' refer to?

Answer 55

Virus-like particles that mediate the transfer of DNA between bacteria.

Question 56

True or False: Genetic transfer contributes to the spread of virulence factors among bacterial populations.

Answer 56

True

Question 57

What impact does genetic transfer have on antibiotic resistance?

Answer 57

It facilitates the rapid spread of resistance genes among bacterial strains.

Question 58

Fill in the blank: The __________ model explains how genetic material can be exchanged between bacteria and archaea.

Answer 58

horizontal gene transfer

Question 59

What is the role of transformation in genetic engineering?

Answer 59

It allows scientists to introduce new genes into organisms.

Question 60

What is the primary method of genetic transfer in bacteria?

Answer 60

Conjugation

Question 61

Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which bacteriophages can introduce new genetic material into bacteria.

Answer 61

Transduction

Question 62

What is the significance of the discovery of CRISPR in relation to genetic transfer?

Answer 62

It provides a mechanism for bacteria to acquire immunity against viruses and can be used for gene editing.