Unfoldings of truth behind the conjugation in bacteria

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           Unfoldings of truth behind the conjugation in bacteria 

The world is home to a vast variety of bacteria. By binary fission, they divide rapidly, creating identical daughter cells. Thus, vertical transmission—the transfer of genetic information from the mother to the offspring—occurs.

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of transfer of genetic material by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact.

Pilus Formation. The donor cells (F+ cells) form a sex pilus and begin contact with an F- recipient cell.

Conjugation in Bacteria 

DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another during conjugation. DNA is transferred between cells once the donor cell uses a feature known as a pilus to get itself near to the recipient. This DNA typically takes the shape of a plasmid.
The fertility factor, also known as the F factor, is a region of DNA found in donor cells that usually causes them to function as donors. The proteins that comprise the sex pilus are encoded by this segment of DNA. Additionally, it has a unique location where DNA transfer starts during conjugation.
During conjugation, if the F factor is transmitted, the recipient cell becomes an F.

Donor having the ability to create its own pilus and spread DNA to other cells. Here's an analogy: this procedure is similar to how a vampire can bite someone to transform them into vampires. 

Bacteria spread their mutations to one another through a process known as horizontal transmission. Genetic information can be transferred horizontally through three distinct methods.

 Conjugation 
Bacterial Pairing
The process by which genetic material is transferred from one bacterium to another by contact is known as conjugation. Lederberg and Tatum presented this approach. They introduced the idea of conjugation and found that the F-factor can travel between E. Coli cells.

Different bacterial species carry different conjugal plasmids. Conjugation is done in multiple steps:

  • Establishment of mating pairs
  • Conjugal DNA production
  • DNA exchange
  • Reaching Maturity



The Bacterial Conjugation Mechanism

The following procedures are involved in bacterial conjugation:
  • Formation of Pilus
A sex pilus is formed by the donor cells (F+ cells), which then make contact with an F-recipient cell.
  • Touching Donor and Recipient Cells in Person
The pilus facilitates direct contact between the donor and recipient cells by forming a conjugation tube.
  • Movement of the F-Plasmid
At the replication's starting point, the F-factor opens. At the replication's beginning, one strand is severed, and the 5' end enters the recipient cell.
  • Complementary Strand Synthesis

A single F-plasmid strand is present in both the donor and recipient strands. As a result, the donor and the recipient both manufacture a complimentary strand.  

Location: Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

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