Question

8
match the term with its description to test your understanding of mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria.
1 transformation 2 transduction 3 conjugation
match each of the options above to the items below
the transfer of naked dna from one cell to another
dna transfer from a donor bacterium to a recipient via sex pil
dna transfer from one bacterial cell to another cell via bacteriophage

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the definitions of each horizontal gene transfer mechanism in bacteria:

• Transformation: Is the uptake of naked (free) DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell, so it matches "The transfer of naked DNA from one cell to another".
• Conjugation: Involves the transfer of DNA from a donor bacterium to a recipient via a sex pilus (a structure that connects the two cells). So it matches "DNA transfer from a donor bacterium to a recipient via sex pil".
• Transduction: Is the transfer of DNA from one bacterial cell to another via a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria). So it matches "DNA transfer from one bacterial cell to another cell via bacteriophage".

Answer:

1. The transfer of naked DNA from one cell to another: 1. Transformation
2. DNA transfer from a donor bacterium to a recipient via sex pil: 3. Conjugation
3. DNA transfer from one bacterial cell to another cell via bacteriophage: 2. Transduction