Biology (Mader), 10th Edition

Chapter 20: Viruses, Bacteria, and Archaea

Specialized Transduction by temperature Phage

How does specialized transduction differ from other forms of information transfer between cells? Specialized transduction transfers information from one bacterial cell to a second bacterial cell. The information takes the form of DNA that can be used to perform new functions once in the second cell. However, specialized transduction differs from other forms of cell communication in several important ways. Transduction requires a virus. Transduction is the result of an accident in the replication of viral DNA. Transduction actually transfers DNA thus making a permanent change in the genome of the second cell. Other types of cell communication do not share these properties.

View the animation below, then complete the quiz to test your knowledge of the concept.



1.

When the defective phage enters a new bacterial cell
A)only phage DNA integrates into the chromosome of the new host cell
B)only bacterial DNA from the previous bacterial host integrates into the chromosome of the new host cell
C)both phage DNA and bacterial DNA integrate into the chromosome of the new cell host
D)the DNA is destroyed
2.

In the process of specialized transduction
A)all the genes of the first bacterial host are transferred to the second bacterial host by a phage
B)only a few specific genes from one bacterial cell are transferred to the second bacterial host by a phage
C)only a few specific genes from the bacteriophage are transferred to the second bacterial host by a phage
D)the phage lyses the recipient bacterium
3.

In specialized transduction
A)any random bacterial gene can be transduced
B)only genes on a plasmid can be transduced
C)only phage genes near the site of the recipient bacteria integration site can be transduced
D)only bacterial genes near the site of integration of the phage DNA can be transduced
4.

The lambda phage DNA always integrates into the host DNA in the same specific site.
A)True
B)False
5.

Sometimes a piece of bacterial DNA near the specific site of insertion stays attached to the phage DNA, and a piece of phage DNA remains behind.
A)True
B)False
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