Plasmid Acquisition in Bacteria

Medium Biology Microbiology

In the realm of microbiology, understanding the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance is crucial. Specifically, consider the role of plasmids in bacterial populations. Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA. They can carry genes that confer advantageous traits, such as antibiotic resistance, and are often transferred between bacteria through processes like conjugation, transformation, or transduction.

Which of the following statements accurately describes a consequence of plasmid acquisition in bacteria?

Bacteria with plasmids increase in size, making them more visible under a microscope.

Plasmids can promote the horizontal gene transfer, enhancing genetic diversity in bacterial populations.

Plasmids lead to a decrease in metabolic efficiency due to the added genetic material.

The presence of plasmids results in bacterial cells becoming susceptible to more types of antibiotics.

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