Talk:Bacterial conjugation
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[edit] Sexual, "sex pili"
Biology, 6th edition, by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece, uses the term "sex pilus" for the pilus involved in bacterial conjugation.
The DNA donor, referred to informally as the "male," uses appendages called sex pili to attach to the DNA recipient, the "female."
They even state outright that it's sexual...
Conjugation is the direct transfer of genetic material between two bacterial cells that are temporarily joined. This process, the bacterial version of sex, has been studied most extensively in E. coli.
I'm not saying this is definitive, but shouldn't the statement about it not being sexual at least have a specific source, preferably one that can be followed (i.e. a website)? XarBiogeek (talk) 05:13, 5 December 2007 (UTC)
- You make a good point but I think that it is fine at the moment. It is not sex in the classical definition because 1) they do not contribute equally 2) it doesn't immediately make a new individual 3) even the Campbell books says that it is "the bacterial version of sex." I interpret this as it is the equivalent but not the same. While both sex and bacterial conjugation will lead to a greater genetic diversity, they are not the same. Anyway, I'm not particularly an expert on this but that's my two cents! Ucla1989 (talk) 04:33, 2 June 2008 (UTC)
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- Sex does not always involve equal contribution (for example, in cases of chromosomal disorders or species in which XO is male rather than XY). Additionally, Sex states "In biology, sex is a process of combining and mixing genetic traits, often resulting in the specialization of organisms into male and female reproductive roles."– that is, not saying that it expressly involves the development of a new individual or even anything beyond mixing and combining genetic information (I am using "sex" as distinct from "sexual reproduction"). I don't mean to say that Bacterial Conjugation is sexual, but merely to point out that all the information surrounding it suggests that it is so, such that clarification to the contrary needs a strong reference. ~XarBioGeek (talk) 21:03, 2 June 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Interrupted Mating Experiment
I think the Interrupted Mating Experiment at the end should be credited. Hayes, I believe, but I'm not sure. 209.250.215.32 15:28, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!
Bacterial Conjugation is NOT sexual!!!--ZZ 02:55, 18 Sep 2004 (UTC)
It's actually parasexual.
–If you have a source, you should include that in the article... It doesn't mention anything about it being "parasexual". Currently, a search for "parasexual" redirects to "Paraphilia", which is not incredibly helpful on this topic. I would recommend defining "parasexual", or linking and creating another article on parasexuality. XarBiogeek (talk) 05:18, 5 December 2007 (UTC)
[edit] School Work
This site gave me lots of information towards a science project, thank you!!!
Different user, I need more info!
Peer-to-peer bacteria. Way cool. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 213.100.20.29 (talk) 00:17, August 22, 2007 (UTC)
shame on you... but I can't say I haven't done the same... haha Ucla1989 (talk) 18:23, 21 May 2008 (UTC)
