Researchers who study the molecular mechanism of transformationhave identified many proteins in bacteria that function in theuptake of DNA from the environment and its recombination intothe host cell’s chromosome. This means that bacteria have evolvedmolecular mechanisms for the purpose of transformation by extracellularDNA. What advantage(s) does a bacterium derive from importing DNA from the environment and/or incorporating it into its chromosome?
Genetic Recombination
Recombination is crucial to this process because it allows genes to be reassorted into diverse combinations. Genetic recombination is the process of combining genetic components from two different origins into a single unit. In prokaryotes, genetic recombination takes place by the unilateral transfer of deoxyribonucleic acid. It includes transduction, transformation, and conjugation. The genetic exchange occurring between homologous deoxyribonucleic acid sequences (DNA) from two different sources is termed general recombination. For this to happen, an identical sequence of the two recombining molecules is required. The process of genetic exchange which occurs in eukaryotes during sexual reproduction such as meiosis is an example of this type of genetic recombination.
Microbial Genetics
Genes are the functional units of heredity. They transfer characteristic information from parents to the offspring.
Researchers who study the molecular mechanism of transformation
have identified many proteins in bacteria that function in the
uptake of DNA from the environment and its recombination into
the host cell’s chromosome. This means that bacteria have evolved
molecular mechanisms for the purpose of transformation by extracellular
DNA. What advantage(s) does a bacterium derive from importing DNA from the environment and/or incorporating it into its chromosome?
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