Question

Define conjugation and Transformation? Mention the important distinctions between Conjugation and Transformation.

Answer 1

• Conjugation is the process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact.
• Bacterial transformation is a process of horizontal gene transfer by which some bacteria take up foreign genetic material (naked DNA) from the environment.

Comparison between conjugation and transformation:

• Transformation is formally analogous to conjugation in both situations donor DNA is transferred to recipient cell, where it undergoes genetic exchange with recipient chromosomes to produce recombinant progeny.
• However, both have several important distinctions between each other.
  • (i) The capacity complete a successful transformation depends on the molecular configuration of donor DNA and on the competent physiological state of recipient cells rather than on the genetic activity of a plasmid.
  • (2) The transforming DNA passes in a free exposed state from donor to recipient rather than being shielded by conjugation tube.
  • (3) The recipient cell ordinarily receives random fragments of the donor chromosomes in transformation, in contrast to the orderly transmission of a fixed gene sequence found in conjugation.

Conjugation:

• This is the process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact.

Transformation:

• This is the process of horizontal gene transfer by which some bacteria take up foreign genetic material (naked DNA) from the environment.