WHAT IF? If a nonpathogenic bacterium were toacquire resistance to antibiotics, could this strain pose ahealth risk to people? In general, how does DNA transferamong bacteria affect the spread of resistance genes?
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.
WHAT IF? If a nonpathogenic bacterium were to
acquire resistance to antibiotics, could this strain pose a
health risk to people? In general, how does DNA transfer
among bacteria affect the spread of resistance genes?
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