Microbial genetics – transformation, conjugation, transduction - One Line Questions

1. What is a prophage? — The integrated form of a temperate bacteriophage within the bacterial chromosome
2. The ability of a bacterial cell to accept and integrate foreign DNA through transformation depends on the presence of: — Specific uptake systems and competence factors
3. Hfr (High frequency of recombination) cells are formed when: — The F factor integrates into the bacterial chromosome
4. What is a bacteriophage? — A virus that infects bacteria
5. Which of these processes allows for the transfer of genetic material between bacteria that are not necessarily closely related? — Horizontal gene transfer (transformation, conjugation, transduction)
6. Transformation is a natural process in some bacteria but can also be induced artificially in the lab using methods like: — Electroporation and chemical treatment
7. The bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae is naturally competent, meaning it can readily undergo: — Transformation
8. In transduction, bacterial DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another via: — A bacteriophage
9. What is the term for a bacterial cell that is capable of accepting DNA during transformation? — Competent cell
10. What is the term for a plasmid that can integrate into the bacterial chromosome? — Episome
11. The discovery of transformation by Frederick Griffith in 1928 used which organism? — Streptococcus pneumoniae
12. Bacterial conjugation can be mediated by plasmids that are: — Extrachromosomal DNA molecules
13. What is the main difference between the F+ and F- bacterial states in conjugation? — F+ cells have the F factor, F- cells do not.
14. What is the primary advantage of horizontal gene transfer for bacteria? — Increased genetic diversity and adaptation
15. In bacterial conjugation, what is the structure that facilitates the transfer of genetic material? — Pilus
16. Which type of transduction is characterized by the transfer of specific bacterial genes that are located adjacent to the prophage integration site? — Specialized Transduction
17. Which of the following is a limitation of transformation as a method of gene transfer? — The efficiency can be low, and only certain bacteria are naturally competent.
18. Generalized transduction can be used to transfer genes that are: — Located anywhere on the bacterial chromosome
19. In specialized transduction, the bacterial genes transferred are typically those that are: — Adjacent to the integrated prophage DNA.
20. What are the two main types of transduction? — Generalized and Specialized
21. Specialized transduction occurs when a prophage excises imprecisely from the bacterial chromosome, carrying adjacent bacterial genes. This is associated with which phage cycle? — Lysogenic cycle
22. When a bacteriophage infects a bacterium and integrates its DNA into the host chromosome, it is in the: — Lysogenic cycle
23. What is the term for a bacteriophage that can integrate into the bacterial genome and replicate with it? — Temperate phage
24. What is the primary function of the genes encoded by the F factor in conjugation? — Pilus synthesis and DNA transfer machinery
25. Transformation in bacteria requires the uptake of what type of genetic material? — Naked DNA
26. What is the term for a bacterial cell that has acquired new genetic traits through horizontal gene transfer? — Recombinant cell
27. Specialized transduction is limited to transferring genes that are: — Located near the integration site of the prophage
28. Conjugation typically requires a donor cell with a plasmid that carries genes for: — Pilus formation and DNA transfer
29. Which type of transduction involves the random packaging of any part of the bacterial genome into a phage head? — Generalized Transduction
30. The process of generalized transduction allows for the transfer of: — Any bacterial gene
31. A bacteriophage that exclusively follows the lytic cycle is termed: —
32. Competence in bacteria refers to: — The ability to take up foreign DNA
33. Bacterial conjugation can lead to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes because these genes are often located on: — Plasmids
34. During conjugation involving Hfr cells, what is typically transferred to the recipient cell? — A portion of the bacterial chromosome
35. The discovery of the genetic role of DNA by Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty in 1944 provided strong evidence for: — The transforming principle
36. During transduction, the DNA fragment transferred to the recipient cell originates from: — The donor bacterium's chromosome or plasmid
37. What is the primary role of the F factor in bacterial conjugation? — To mediate pilus formation and DNA transfer
38. What is the role of the pilus in bacterial conjugation? — To attach to the recipient cell and initiate DNA transfer
39. What is the process by which a bacterial cell takes up naked DNA from its environment called? — Transformation
40. Which mechanism of horizontal gene transfer involves direct cell-to-cell contact? — Conjugation
41. Which type of gene transfer involves bacteriophages acting as vectors? — Transduction
42. Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria? — Vertical Gene Transfer
43. Which mechanism of gene transfer is most efficient for transferring large segments of the bacterial chromosome? — Conjugation (especially Hfr)
44. The process where a virus injects its genetic material into a bacterium is called: — Transduction
45. Which of the following is a key difference between transformation and transduction? — Transformation uses naked DNA, transduction uses DNA carried by a phage.
46. The 'jumping genes' or transposons can move between plasmids and chromosomes, and can be transferred via conjugation, potentially influencing genetic variation. — True, as transposons are mobile genetic elements transferred during conjugation.
47. The F factor in conjugation carries genes essential for pilus formation and DNA transfer, making it a key determinant of the process. — True, the F factor encodes the machinery for conjugation.
48. Which Nobel Prize winners are credited with discovering transformation in bacteria? — Griffith and Avery
49. What is the term for a bacterium that has received foreign DNA through transformation, conjugation, or transduction? — Recombinant
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