Regarding Bacterial Conjugation: is this correct.......?

Question

Their is no sexual reproduction in bacteria.....(but what is the sex pilus?)

It is unknown if the pili form the conjugational bridge.

Bacterial conjugation envolves Chromosomal DNA and Plasmid DNA. sometimes the Chromosomal and transfer and sometimes the Plasmid does...

What is F- and F+ ?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I Agree With hmasson28 Speculation About Plasmids, it Makes Sense.

Answer 2

This is what my notes for my undergrad bio class say (these were made by the professor).

Sexual conjugation in bacteria:
Conjugaton is the direct transfer of genetic material between 2 bacterial cells temporarily joined. The F plasmid contains an F factor=F+ (donor of DNA). F= sex pili. So the F plasmid is passed into an F- cell (recipient of DNA). Sometimes these pieces of transferred plasmid become part of the chromosome. Then a diagram shows that the F+ cell connects to the F- cell via the conjugation bridge and transfers the F plasmid into the F- cell. This leads me to believe that only the plasmid DNA is transferred and chromosomal DNA is not. I hope this is clear and that it helps.

Answer 3

bacteria combine dna through conjugation which biologists know is formed from pili. the plasmid recombines with the chromosome. F+ is the donor who gives the dna and F- is the recipitent, almost like male and female respectively

Answer 4

there is no sex in bacteria

bacteria with F+ plasmid can form sex pillus whereas bacteria with F- can not form sex pillus.

Answer 5

well, if that is proper etiquette, then I have been using my "ha"s improperly. I think I'll stick to lol just to be on the safe side. Would hate for someone to think I was saying "not funny, keep trying" when I was really chuckling.