genetic recombination strategies of bacteria CONJUGATION, TRANSDUCTION AND TRANSFORMATION

genetic recombination strategies of bacteria CONJUGATION, TRANSDUCTION AND TRANSFORMATION. Conjugation is the process by which one bacterium transfers genetic material to another through direct contact. During conjugation, one bacterium serves as the donor of the genetic material, and the other serves as the recipient. The donor bacterium carries a DNA sequence called the fertility factor, or F-factor. The F-factor allows the donor to produce a thin, tubelike structure called a pilus, which the donor uses to contact the recipient. The pilus then draws the two bacteria together, at which time the donor bacterium transfers genetic material to the recipient bacterium. Typically, the genetic material is in the form of a plasmid, or a small, circular piece of DNA. The genetic material transferred during conjugation often provides the recipient bacterium with some sort of genetic advantage. For instance, in many cases, conjugation serves to transfer plasmids that carry antibiotic resistance genes. Conjugation diagram

Donor cell produces pilus.
Pilus attaches to recipient cell and brings the two cells together.
The mobile plasmid is nicked and a single strand of DNA is then transferred to the recipient cell.
Both cells synthesize a complementary strand to produce a double stranded circular plasmid and also reproduce pili; both cells are now viable donor for the F-factor.