A bacteriophage infects a lysogenic bacterium and excises from the bacterial chromosome, carrying a few adjacent bacterial genes. When this phage infects a new host, it transfers these specific genes. What is this process called?
- A Specialized transduction ✓
- B Generalized transduction
- C Conjugation
- D Transformation
Correct answer: A. Specialized transduction
Explanation
Specialized transduction occurs when a prophage excises imprecisely from the host chromosome, taking adjacent bacterial genes and transferring them to a new host. Generalized transduction packages any random fragment of bacterial DNA. Conjugation requires direct contact, and transformation involves naked DNA uptake.
Reference: Jawetz, Melnick, & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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