Bacterial conjugation
Bacterial Conjugation
Bacterial conjugation (/bækˈtɪəriəl kɒndʒʊˈɡeɪʃən/) is a type of genetic transfer that occurs in bacteria. It is a mechanism by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another bacterium through direct contact.
Etymology
The term "conjugation" comes from the Latin conjugare, which means "to join together". In the context of bacteria, it refers to the joining of two bacteria for the purpose of genetic exchange.
Process
The process of bacterial conjugation involves the transfer of a plasmid, a small, circular piece of DNA, from a donor bacterium to a recipient bacterium. The donor bacterium contains a special plasmid known as the F (fertility) plasmid, which carries genes necessary for the process of conjugation. The recipient bacterium does not have this plasmid.
Role in Antibiotic Resistance
Bacterial conjugation plays a significant role in the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. When a bacterium that is resistant to a certain antibiotic transfers its resistance genes to another bacterium through conjugation, the recipient bacterium becomes resistant to that antibiotic as well.
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