Genetics of Prokaryotic Cells

Question 1

Episomes

Answer 1

plasmids that can be integrated into the genome

Question 2

Transformation

Answer 2

occurs when a bacterium acquires a piece of genetic material from the environment and integrates that piece of genetic material into the host cell genome, this is a common method by which antibiotic resistance can be acquired

Question 3

Conjugation

Answer 3

bacterial form of mating, it involves two cells forming a cytoplasmic bridge between them that allows for the transfer of genetic material
The transfer is one way from the donor male (+) to the recipient female (-)
The bridge is made from appendages called sex pili that are found on the donor male and to form the pilus the bacteria must contain plasmids known as sex factors

Question 4

Transduction

Answer 4

occurs when a bacteriophage acquires genetic information from a host cell and then infects another bacterium, resulting in the transfer of bacterial genetic material