Bacterial recombination

Genetic recombination is the process by which parts or all of the DNA molecules from two separate sources are exchanged or brought together into a single unit.Genetic recombination involving bacteria is known as genetic recombination.In bacterial recombination,the cells do not fuse.Instead only a portion of the chromosome or naked DNA from the donor cell is transferred to the recipient cell.Inside the recipient cell,the donor DNA fragment is positioned alongside the recipient DNA in such a way that homologous genes are adjacent.Enzymes act on the recipient DNA,causing nicks and excision of a fragment.Then the donor DNA is integrated into the recipient chromosome in place of the excised DNA.The recipient cell then becomes the recombinant cell because its chromosome contains DNA of both the donor and the recipient cell.

Bacterial recombination occurs from three different ways.

• Conjugation
• Transduction
• Transformation

The uses of genetic recombination are:

• Genetic recombination maximizes the diversity of genotypes among progeny.
• The ability to generate new genotypes in rapidly changing environment allows the members of bacterial population to grow in presence of toxins,antibiotics,phages and to exploit new environment.