DNA Transfer and Homologous Recombination in Bacteria

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to DNA transfer and homologous recombination in bacteria, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Conjugation

A process in which DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another through direct contact.

Transduction

The process of transferring bacterial DNA from one bacterium to another by a virus.

Transformation

The uptake of foreign DNA by a bacterium from its surroundings.

Homologous Recombination (HR)

A type of genetic recombination in which two DNA molecules exchange genetic information.

RecA

An enzyme that plays a key role in homologous recombination and DNA repair.

Holliday Junction

A structure that forms during homologous recombination where two DNA strands are joined.

Mutant phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism resulting from specific mutations.

D-loop formation

A structural intermediate in homologous recombination, formed during strand invasion.

SOS response

A cellular response to DNA damage that allows repair mechanisms to operate under severe conditions.

LexA repressor

A protein that inhibits the expression of SOS genes until DNA damage occurs.

Translesion synthesis (TLS)

A DNA repair process that synthesizes DNA across lesions in the template strand.

Double-strand break repair model

A mechanistic model explaining how double-strand breaks in DNA are repaired by homologous recombination.

Rec- mutant

A mutant that is deficient in the ability to carry out homologous recombination.

Mutagenic repair

A repair system that introduces mutations, allowing survival under DNA damaging conditions.

Bacterial haploidy

The condition of having a single set of chromosomes, typical in bacterial cells.

Holliday model of recombination

A theoretical model describing the molecular mechanics of homologous recombination.

Enzymatic activity

Biochemical processes performed by enzymes that facilitate DNA repair and recombination.