Question

Conjugation between F^+ and F^– cell results in _______________

(a) Two F^– cells

(b) F^–cell becomes F^+

(c) F^– cell remains F^– cell with a little DNA from F^+ cell

(d) Remains the same without any change

This question was addressed to me in an international level competition.

This intriguing question originated from Genetic Recombination topic in section Genetic Recombination of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) F^–cell becomes F^+

For explanation: Conjugation occurs between positive and negative F cells. The donor cell will have pilus and this pilus will attach to the recipient cell thus bringing the two cell together. The F plasmid will be an episome.