Background: Prokaryotes have a different way to increase genetic variation. It’s called genetic transfer or bacterial conjugation . It can occur in two ways. One way is when cells “grab” stray pieces of DNA from their environment. The other way is when cells directly exchange DNA (usually plasmids) with other cells. For example, as shown in Figure below , the donor cell makes a structure called an F pilus , or sex pilus. The F pilus attaches one cell to another cell. The membranes of the two cells merge and genetic material, usually a plasmid , moves into the recipient cell. Genetic transfer makes bacteria very useful in biotechnology. It can be used to create bacterial cells that carry new genes.

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed more genetic transfer taking place?
Answer: Bill

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed less genetic transfer taking place?
Answer: Joe

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed less bacterial conjugation taking place?
Answer: Joe

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed more bacterial conjugation taking place?
Answer: Bill

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed more cells directly exchange DNA (usually plasmids) with other cells?
Answer: Bill

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed fewer cells directly exchange DNA (usually plasmids) with other cells?
Answer: Joe

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed fewer membranes of two cells merging?
Answer: Joe

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed more membranes of two cells merging?
Answer: Bill

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed more cells “grab” stray pieces of DNA from their environment?
Answer: Bill

Situation: Two researches studied living organisms, Joe studied eukaryotes, while Bill studied prokaryotes. They were fascinated by genetic variation.

Question: Which researcher observed fewer cells “grab” stray pieces of DNA from their environment?
Answer: Joe