Question
process in which one strain of bacteria is changed by a gene or genes from another strain of bacteria
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The process you are referring to is known as **horizontal gene transfer**. This is a method by which an organism can acquire genetic material from another organism without being its offspring. In bacteria, horizontal gene transfer can occur through several mechanisms:
1. **Conjugation**: This involves the direct transfer of DNA between two bacterial cells that are temporarily joined. Usually, this happens through a structure called a pilus.
2. **Transformation**: In this process, bacteria take up free-floating DNA from their environment. This DNA may come from dead bacteria that have released their genetic material.
3. **Transduction**: Here, bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) can transfer DNA between bacterial cells. When a bacteriophage infects a bacterium, it can accidentally incorporate bacterial DNA into its own genetic material and then transfer that DNA to another bacterium when it infects it.
These mechanisms allow for genetic diversity and can enable bacteria to acquire traits such as antibiotic resistance, metabolic capabilities, and virulence factors.
1. **Conjugation**: This involves the direct transfer of DNA between two bacterial cells that are temporarily joined. Usually, this happens through a structure called a pilus.
2. **Transformation**: In this process, bacteria take up free-floating DNA from their environment. This DNA may come from dead bacteria that have released their genetic material.
3. **Transduction**: Here, bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) can transfer DNA between bacterial cells. When a bacteriophage infects a bacterium, it can accidentally incorporate bacterial DNA into its own genetic material and then transfer that DNA to another bacterium when it infects it.
These mechanisms allow for genetic diversity and can enable bacteria to acquire traits such as antibiotic resistance, metabolic capabilities, and virulence factors.