Are transformation and transduction the same process?

Question

A.  Yes; they both involve the acquisition of viral genes.
B.  No; only transformation passes on genes for pathogenicity.
C.  Yes; both processes transfer specific gene products to a specific bacterium.
D.  No; although both involve gene transfer the sources of the genetic material differ.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about transformation and transduction? How does it relate to the question?
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?

  Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

D.  No; although both involve gene transfer the sources of the genetic material differ.

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question asks whether transformation and transduction could be considered the same process.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is an “apply” question. You need to compare and contrast transformation and transduction.
 
Gather Content
· What do you already know about transformation and transduction? How does it relate to the question?
        o Transformation involves obtaining a piece of DNA from the environment and inserting it into your chromosome. How is this done? How does the bacterium obtain the DNA from the environment? Look at the animation on Connect about transformation.
        o Transduction involves a virus accidentally picking up bacterial DNA instead of viral DNA and injecting it into a new bacterium.
        o How are these two processes similar? How are they different?
 
Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Make a Venn diagram showing the similarities and differences between transformation and transduction.
        o Once you’ve started, look at the options for the question and add them to your diagram. Do both “involve the acquisition of viral genes”? Or is that a difference? Which process does it belong to?
        o Think of the options as arguments. Someone has asked you the question and you need to pick the best argument. First, you need to say whether transformation and transduction are the same thing. Then, you need to provide correct reasoning.

  Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked you to determine whether transformation and transduction are the same process. You then needed to defend your answer.
        o If you got the correct answer, great job!
        o If you got an incorrect answer, where did you get stuck?
            · Transformation and transduction are not the same process because there are key differences. One involves just picking up DNA from the environment, while the other involves a virus. Were you able to break the options apart into smaller pieces? Doing so can sometimes help with this type of question