Question

Explain how conjugation happens between an F+ donor cell and F- recipient cell?

Answer 1

Ans - Conjugation - Bacterial conjugation is the unidirectional transfer of genetic material from a donor cell to a recipient cell via cell to cell contact or through conjugation tube.

- The bacterium with F plasmid is the donor , F+ or male

- The bacterium without F factor is the recipient , F- or female.

In bacterial conjugation , F plasmids are generally transferred, not the entire bacterial genome.

Steps of conjugation are as follows-

Step 1- F+ cells produces hair like appendages called sex pilli which facilitates cell to cell contact with F- strain by forming a conjugation tube . The formation of sex pilli is governed by genes of F factor.

Step 2- Replication of F factor making a copy .

Step 3- Transfer of copy of F plasmid to the recipient cell via conjugation tube .

Step 4- Conjugation tube dissolves.

Now, the F- strain is also F+ .