Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria

What is the most common method of horizontal gene transfer in bacteria?

• Conjugation

• Transformation

• Transduction

• Replication

Which structure is typically involved in the conjugation process in gram-negative bacteria?

• Conjugation pilus

• Cell membrane

• Nucleoid

• Ribosome

What happens to bacterial DNA during the process of specialized transduction?

• It remains unchanged

• It is expelled from the cell

• It is destroyed

• It is replicated as part of the bacteriophage genome

What is the role of competency in bacterial transformation?

• It allows for DNA uptake

• It prevents DNA recombination

• It increases cell wall rigidity

• It decreases DNA uptake

How do bacteria typically respond if the transferred genes through horizontal gene transfer do not provide a selective advantage?

• They modify the genes

• They replicate the genes extensively

• They usually lose the genes by deletion

• They retain the genes permanently