What is bacterial conjugation and how does it play a role in antibiotic resistance? A. Bacterial conjugation is a method by which bacteria exchange genes. If a bacterium develops resistance to an antibiotic, it can quickly share this resistance with other bacteria through conjugation. This would happen if a bacterium evolves or acquires a Resistance (R) plasmid. B. Antimicrobial resistance is solely due to the overuse of antibiotics: it’s unrelated to bacterial conjugation where bacteria share genetic information. C. Bacterial conjugation only occurs when bacteria exchange genetic material for reproductive purposes, not for sharing antibiotic resistance traits. D. Bacteria develop antibiotic resistance solely due to natural selection. Bacterial conjugation is a separate mechanism where bacteria simply share genes.

Sourav PanDecember 7, 2024

Answered

The correct answer is A. Bacterial conjugation is a method by which bacteria exchange genes. If a bacterium develops resistance to an antibiotic, it can quickly share this resistance with other bacteria through conjugation. This would happen if a bacterium evolves or acquires a Resistance (R) plasmid.

Explanation:

• Bacterial conjugation is a process through which one bacterium (the donor) transfers genetic material, often in the form of a plasmid, to another bacterium (the recipient). The transfer of plasmids is often the mechanism by which antibiotic resistance genes are spread. If a bacterium develops resistance to an antibiotic, it may acquire a resistance (R) plasmid, which carries the gene responsible for resistance. This plasmid can then be transferred to other bacteria via conjugation, rapidly spreading resistance within a bacterial population.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• B. Antimicrobial resistance is solely due to the overuse of antibiotics: it’s unrelated to bacterial conjugation where bacteria share genetic information. This is false. While the overuse of antibiotics contributes to the development of resistance through natural selection, bacterial conjugation plays a critical role in the spread of resistance by allowing bacteria to share resistance genes, even across species.
• C. Bacterial conjugation only occurs when bacteria exchange genetic material for reproductive purposes, not for sharing antibiotic resistance traits. This is false. While conjugation can serve reproductive purposes, its primary role in the context of antibiotic resistance is the horizontal transfer of genetic material, including resistance genes. It is an important mechanism by which bacteria can acquire new traits, including antibiotic resistance.
• D. Bacteria develop antibiotic resistance solely due to natural selection. Bacterial conjugation is a separate mechanism where bacteria simply share genes. This is false. Natural selection alone does not explain the rapid spread of resistance; bacterial conjugation is an essential mechanism by which bacteria can share resistance genes with one another, facilitating the spread of resistance much more quickly than natural mutation alone would allow.