Question

how do bacteria increase their genetic variation?
a sexual reproduction
b bacterial conjugation
c binary fission

Explanation:

To determine how bacteria increase genetic variation, we analyze each option:

• Option a: Bacteria do not reproduce sexually as they are prokaryotes and lack the mechanisms for sexual reproduction.
• Option b: Bacterial conjugation is a process where bacteria transfer genetic material (plasmids or chromosomal DNA) between one another, which introduces new genetic material and thus increases genetic variation.
• Option c: Binary fission is a form of asexual reproduction where a bacterium divides into two identical daughter cells, so it does not increase genetic variation (it's a cloning process).

Answer:

b. Bacterial conjugation