3 Mechanisms of Bacterial Genetic Recombination

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Bacteria contain extrachromosomal material called plasmids. Plasmids help bacteria carry important genes, such as antibiotic resistance or additional virulence factors. Virulence factors are traits that help increase the pathogenicity or features that can help bacteria invade the host immune system.

3 Mechanisms of Bacterial Genetic Recombination

Transformation

Transformation occurs when the cell takes the genetic material from its surroundings and incorporates it into its genome.

Conjugation

Conjugation is when the bacterium transfers its genetic material from one bacteria to another through a conjugation bridge. The plasmid transfers through an F+ into an F- Cell.

Transduction

Transduction occurs when a bacteriophage infects a bacteria with its genetic material and is transferred from one bacteria to another via a bacteriophage vector.

Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages are viruses that are known to target bacteria. They inject their tail sheath into the bacterium injecting their genetic material. The tail fibers are known to help the bacteriophage recognize the correct host cell.

Growth of Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells are known to reproduce via asexual reproduction in the form of binary fission. Their circular chromosomes attach to the cell wall and replicate into two identical daughter cells.

The Growth of Bacteria consists of 4 phases shown below

Lag Phase

Bacteria adapt to their new environment during the lag phase.

Log Phase/Exponential Phase

The rate of bacteria increases as the colonies continue to divide at a faster pace.

Stationary phase

Throughout the rapid rise in bacteria, the resources are reduced, and the bacteria slow down this is what causes a stationary phase.

Death Phase

After the bacteria reaches a maximum amount in the environment bacteria enter the death phase. This means their resources are depleted.

#biology #bacteria

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