Question

Distinguish between transformation, conjugation, and transduction in horizontal gene transfer

Answer 1

Transformation

It involves uptake of short fragments of naked DNA by naturally transformable bacteria. Transposable elements are also important in bacterial genetics. In bacteria, transposable elements sometimes carry antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity genes. These chunks of DNA "jump" from one place to a different within a genome, cutting and pasting themselves or inserting copies of themselves in new spots.

If one in all these transposable elements "jumps" from the chromosome into a plasmid, the genes it carries is easily passed to other bacteria by transformation or conjugation. meaning the genes can spread quickly through the population.

Transduction

It involves transfer of DNA from one bacterium into another via bacteriophages. In transduction, viruses that infect bacteria move short pieces of chromosomal DNA from one bacterium to a different "by accident." The viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages.

Sometimes, chunks of host cell DNA get caught inside the new bacteriophage as they're made. When one in all these "defective" bacteriophages infects a cell, it transfers the DNA. Some bacteriophages chop the DNA of their host cell into pieces, making this transfer process more likely.

Conjugation

It involves transfer of DNA via sexual pilus and requires cell –to-cell contact. In conjugation, DNA is transferred from one bacterium to a different. After the donor cell pulls itself near the recipient using a structure called a pilus, DNA is transferred between cells. In most cases, this DNA is within the sort of a plasmid.

Donor cells typically act as donors because they need a bit of DNA called the fertility factor. This chunk of DNA codes for the proteins that conjure the sex pilus. It also contains a special site where DNA transfer during conjugation begins.