What is the process called when bacteria take up naked DNA from their environment?
Transformation is the process by which bacteria take up free, naked DNA fragments from their environment and incorporate them into their own genome. This is one of the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer.
Which enzyme is responsible for synthesizing new DNA strands during bacterial DNA replication?
DNA polymerase is the enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands by adding nucleotides complementary to the template strand. Helicase unwinds the DNA, RNA polymerase synthesizes RNA, and ligase seals the gaps between DNA fragments.
What is the role of plasmids in bacterial cells?
Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that are separate from the bacterial chromosome. They often carry genes that provide survival advantages, such as antibiotic resistance or virulence factors.
What happens during bacterial conjugation?
During bacterial conjugation, DNA (typically a plasmid) is transferred from one bacterium to another through a pilus, a tube-like structure. This process allows for genetic exchange and diversity.
Which term describes a change in the sequence of DNA in a microorganism?
A mutation is any change in the DNA sequence of an organism. It can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors. Transduction, replication, and transcription are processes involving DNA or RNA but do not involve changing the sequence itself.