Question

Differentiate between: Conjugation, transformation and transduction.

Answer 1

Bacteria are unicellular organisms which reproduce both by sexual and asexual means. Asexual reproduction is done mainly by means of budding, cyst formation or endospore formation. Sexual reproduction takes place by three methods mainly conjugation, transduction and transformation.

Complete answer:
By the mean of asexual reproduction, the bacteria only increase its number but by sexual reproduction, the bacteria undergo genetic recombination between the two species. Thus there occurs a genetic drift in the species.

Conjugation	Transduction	Transformation
It takes place between the male or donor bacterium F+ and female recipient F-. Male establishes a conjugation tube with female cells and transfers its gene to female.	In this the bacterium receives the foreign gene through virus. The viruses are not virulent and are called bacteriophage.	In this the bacterium takes the DNA from the environment which is shed by another bacterium.
Sex pili and fertility factor present in the males is required for reproduction.	Do not require sex pili and fertility factor.	Do not require sex pili and fertility factor.

Note: Sexual reproduction in bacteria is very rare. They mostly divide asexually. The division of bacteria is different from other organisms. They take in nutrients and reproduce. A bacterium splits and becomes two and two to four and so on. The doubling of bacteria takes place under favourable conditions like availability of nutrients, moisture, temperature, pH, acidity, salt levels etc.