Genetic Variation in BACTERIA ^__^

The genetic material in bacteria is the same as in other organisms: DNA. They increase their speicies diversity via mutation, ad conjugation.

Mutations result in different characteristics. Bases can be deleted, replaced, or added. Three bases code for one amino acid, (the triplet code) and therefore, any change in this sequence of bases will change what amino acids are sythesized. Since animo acids make polypeptide chains, and from there, proteins, and proteins define characteristics, characteristics can be changed.

Conjugation takesplace between bacterial cells. One cell produces a thin projection that meets the oher cell, and a conjugation tube forms. The cell donating replicates a plasmid of DNA, The circle shape of the plasmid breaks, and it passes along the conjugation tube. Contact between the cell is brief, and only a portion is exchanged, which means the recipient cell gets new characteristics.

So, wait, let me get the hang of that one. :P

First, the small projection is made from one of the cells, which connects to another cell and forms a conjugation tube. The cell donatiing then replicates it's plasmid of DNA, the circle shape is borken so it is linear, and it then passes through the conjugation tube. This connection is only for a limited time so only a portion of DNA is given. The receiving cell gains new characteristics.

(One thing I've learnt from almost a year of AS Biology, is that I really rathher dislike the word 'characteristics', much sorrys if there about 41 different spellings of it throughout. xP)

Annnnnd again.

1) Cell produces projections, which connects to other cell. This forms a conjugation tube.
2) The donating cell replicates a plasmid of DNA.
3) The circle shape is broken, and it becomes linear, and passes through the conjugation tube.
4) The connection is only for a limited amount of time, and therefore, only a portion of DNA is given.
5) The receiving cell gets new characteristics.

You may also hear about 'Horizontal' and 'Vertical'. Horizontal is Conjugation. Where characteristics are passed from species to species (across ways). Vertical is characteristics being passed via generation (down ways).