GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology : Help with Transduction, Conjugation, and Transformation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #521 : Gre Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, And Molecular Biology

The Frederick Griffith experiment showed that previously safe pneumococcus can become lethal when it incorporates DNA from the surroundings into its genome.

What type of genetic transfer was displayed in the Frederick Griffiith experiment?

Possible Answers:

Transformation

Conjugation

Binary fission

Transduction

Correct answer:

Transformation

Explanation:

When a bacterium has incorporated DNA from the outside environment into its own genome, the process of transformation has occurred.

Example Question #2 : Prokaryotic Genome

Which type of bacterial genetic recombination involves the use of a viral vector?

Possible Answers:

Conjugation

Assimilation

Transformation

Transduction

Correct answer:

Transduction

Explanation:

Sometimes a bacteriophage can encapsulate host bacterial DNA instead of viral DNA. When this virus infects another bacterium, it will inject the previous bacterium's DNA into the new bacterium. This process is referred to as transduction.

Example Question #522 : Gre Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, And Molecular Biology

What plasmid, usually in multiple copies in a prokaryote, is responsible for production of proteins to attack susceptible organisms?

Possible Answers:

Col plasmids

Degradative plasmids

Virulence plasmids

F plasmids

R plasmids

Correct answer:

Col plasmids

Explanation:

The correct answer is the Col plasmid, which produce attack proteins called colicins. These are generally small and in many copies in a prokaryote for efficiency. F plasmids are involved in conjugation, R plasmids in resistance, degradative plasmids in digestion of unusual substances, and virulence plasmids in the conversion of certain bacteria into pathogens.

Example Question #1 : Help With Transduction, Conjugation, And Transformation

What type of phages facilitate specialized transduction?

Possible Answers:

Animal viruses

Lysogenic phages

None of these

Lytic phages

Retroviruses

Correct answer:

Lysogenic phages

Explanation:

Specialized transduction occurs when a prophages excises from the host bacterial genome incorrectly and brings some of the bacterial chromosome with it. This DNA then gets packaged into viral particles along with the viral genome and gets inserted into the next bacterium that virus infects. Since only lysogenic phage can become prophage, specialized transduction can only be mediated by lysogenic phage. Retroviruses are enveloped and thus infect animal cells, not bacterial cells. 

Example Question #5 : Prokaryotic Genome

Bacteria are capable of "sharing" genetic material that can be advantageous in certain environments. This type of gene transmission is an example of which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Transformation

Fission

Transduction

Conjugation

Correct answer:

Conjugation

Explanation:

In this example, note that the new genes are being received from a donor bacterium. This is only seen in conjugation events.

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