WHICH IS THE BEST METHOD FOR HORIZONTAL GENE TRANSFER?

There are three methods of horizontal gene transfer that bacteria do.

CONJUGATION

• TRA genes have the ability to transfer a plasmid from
• one bacterial cell to another.
• There is direct contact in this type of transfer.
• A sex pilus and conjugation bridge are used.

TRANSDUCTION

• The DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus.
• Fragments of the bacterial genome go into the viral particle and get
• transferred over instead of the genome.
• this is NOT the most efficient way for gene transfer

TRANFORMATION

• the simplest transfer of DNA between bacterial cells is indirect
• one bacterial cell drops DNA into the environment (media)
• another cell imports it
• this is NOT the most efficient way for gene transfer

WHICH IS BEST?

• CONJUGATION!!!
• It is the most efficient transfer because the transfer is guaranteed.
• Although the conjugation bridge and sex pilus is very sensitive and can
• be easily broken, at least a small amount of genes would be transferred to another
• cell. This is the only transfer that allows direct contact.