What is the genetic basis of bacterium F+? Explain how it was established that physical contact was necessary for conjugation to occur.
What is the genetic basis of bacterium F+? Explain how it was established that physical contact was necessary for conjugation to occur.
Answered
The genetic basis of the F+ bacterium is the presence of the F-factor (fertility factor), which is a plasmid carrying the genes necessary for conjugation. The F-factor encodes the production of a sex pilus, which allows the F+ bacterium to form a physical connection with an F- bacterium and transfer genetic material. It was established that physical contact was necessary for conjugation through experiments, such as those by Joshua Lederberg and Edward Tatum, who observed that conjugation only occurred when the donor (F+) and recipient (F-) bacteria were in direct contact. This was demonstrated by separating the bacteria in a special filter, which prevented physical contact, and showing that conjugation did not occur, confirming the necessity of physical contact for DNA transfer.
BNO Team