Genetic Transfer

What is Homologous Recombination? (prokaryotic)

a process used to increase genetic diversity

Transformation Function (prokaryotes)

the process of importing free DNA into prokaryotic cells

What is competence?

the ability for bacteria to take in outside bacteria as a survival mechanism

Artificial vs Natural Competence

natural competence is encoded in a bacteria’s DNA while artificial competence is induced in labs separately

Gram Negative Bacteria and Natural Competence

either competent or not, can become more competent during starvation

Gram Positive Bacteria and Natural Competence

utilizes transformasomes to import DNA across the cell wall and membrane; utilizes quorum sensing

What is electroporation?

the process of using electric currents to open their membranes to transfer DNA

What is bacterial conjugation?

the process of transferring genetic material via a pilus. it requires a F plasmid and F pilus

F+ cells function

the genetic material donors

F- cells function

the recipients of genetic material

F’ plasmid is made up of

the F plasmid + chromosomal portion

Hfr (High-Frequency Recombination) cell conjugation

is a process where a bacterium with an integrated F-plasmid (Hfr cell) transfers a portion of its chromosome, along with part of the plasmid, to an recipient cell

R Plasmid Function

a type of circular DNA that contains the R factor, which helps protect the bacteria from antibiotics

Transposons Function

a DNA segment that carries the genes required for excision from and insertion into the target plasmid. it’s important to create knockout mutations and can contain antibiotic resistant and adaptability genes

Transduction Function

process where DNA transfer occurs via bacteriophages

DNA Restriction and Modification

the system includes: enzymatic cleavage (restriction) of alien DNA via restriction endonucleases and protective methylation of host DNA.