Question

How does rapid reproduction in bacteria increase genetic diversity?

Answer 1

Answer

In bacterium, reproduction is often very fast, with a generation taking little more than a few minutes for some species. This short generation time, alongside random mutations and also the mechanisms of genetic recombination (transformation, transduction, conjugation) enable bacterium and different prokaryotes to evolve terribly quickly. this fast evolution implies that bacterium will adapt to environmental changes, like the introduction of an antibiotic, very quickly.

bacterias are asexually reproduced by splitting in 2 via binary fission. Binary fission makes clones, or genetically identical copies, of the parent bacteria. Since the offspring are genetically clone of the parent, binary fission does not offer a chance for genetic recombination or genetic diversity (aside from the occasional random mutation). This contrasts with sexual reproduction.

Genetic variation is vital to the survival of a species, permitting groups to adapt to changes in their surroundings by natural selection. Prokaryotes will share genes by 3 mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction.

In transformation, prokaryotes take up DNA directly from their surroundings (either as a circular plasmid, or as a DNA fragment which will integrate into the prokaryote's genome through homologous recombination).

During transduction, a virus transfers deoxyribonucleic acid from one prokaryote to a different. Viruses that infect bacterium (bacteriophages) will accidentally pick up deoxyribonucleic acid from host bacteria throughout the production of new viral particles, then inject this bacterial DNA into the cell they infect.

During conjugation, one prokaryote transfers DNA on to another prokaryote through a structure referred to as a mating bridge, a method that needs physical contact between the 2 cells.