Question

question 25
bacterial conjugation involves ______.
a naked dna fragments from a lysed donor cell taken up by a recipient cell
b new progeny cells with genes from two parent bacterial cells
c a donor cell with a plasmid that synthesizes a pilus
d a bacteriophage carrying donor dna to the recipient cell

Explanation:

Bacterial conjugation is a horizontal gene transfer process where a donor cell (with an F plasmid) forms a pilus to connect to a recipient cell and transfer genetic material. Option A describes transformation, B is incorrect as conjugation does not produce progeny from two parents, D describes transduction. Only C correctly identifies the donor cell's key feature (F plasmid for pilus synthesis).

Answer:

C. a donor cell with a plasmid that synthesizes a pilus