Answer to Question #90599 in Cell Biology for Drake Truel

Question

A segment of viral DNA entered a new bacterial host cell. Along with its genome, some bacterial genes were attached to the segment of DNA. Which process most likely occurred prior to the viral DNA entering the new host cell?

A.conjugation

B. generalized transduction

C. mutation

D. specialized transduction

Answer 1

A segment of viral DNA entered a new bacterial host cell. Along with its genome, some bacterial genes were attached to the segment of DNA. The process most likely occurred prior to the viral DNA entering the new host cell is

GENERALIZED TRANSDUCTION

This is a process by which any bacterial DNA may be transferred to another bacterium via a bacteriophage which is a type of virus that infects bacteria. When the genome of bacteriophage enters the bacteria by means of penetration through the bacterial wall by means of degradation enzymes the virus will take control of the cell's machinery for use in replicating its own viral DNA. If by chance bacterial chromosomal DNA is inserted into the viral capsid which is usually used to encapsulate the viral DNA, the mistake will lead to generalized transduction.

As in this case the segment of viral DNA that enters the new host cells contains some bacterial genes attached with it, so it is concluded that the segment of viral DNA has gone through the process of generalized transduction.