Question

as you have seen, bacteria can acquire new dna via conjugation, transformation and transduction. which bacterial dna molecule is affected by each of these processes?
a) conjugation adds plasmid dna, transduction and transformation change chromosomal dna
b) transduction adds plasmid dna, transformation and conjugation change chromosomal dna
c) all processes can change both chromosomal and plasmid dna
d) transformation adds plasmid dna, transduction and conjugation change chromosomal dna

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the processes of bacterial DNA acquisition:

• Conjugation: Involves transfer of plasmid DNA (often via F - factor) between bacteria, but can also transfer chromosomal DNA in some cases.
• Transformation: Bacteria take up free - floating DNA (can be plasmid or chromosomal) from the environment.
• Transduction: Bacteriophages transfer DNA (can be plasmid or chromosomal) from one bacterium to another.

So, all three processes (conjugation, transformation, transduction) have the potential to change both chromosomal and plasmid DNA.

Option a is incorrect because transduction and transformation aren't limited to changing only chromosomal DNA. Option b is incorrect as transduction isn't limited to adding just plasmid DNA. Option d is incorrect as transformation isn't limited to adding just plasmid DNA.

Answer:

c) All processes can change both chromosomal and plasmid DNA