Which of these statements about prokaryotes is correct?
A)Bacterial cells conjugate to mutually exchange genetic material.
B)Their genetic material is confined within vesicles known as plasmids.
C)They divide by binary fission,without mitosis or meiosis.
D)The persistence of bacteria throughout evolutionary time is due to their lack of genetic variation.
E)Genetic variation in bacteria is not known to occur because of their asexual mode of reproduction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prokaryotes divide through binary fission, which is a form of asexual reproduction. They do not undergo mitosis or meiosis, which are processes that occur in eukaryotic cells.

(A) is incorrect because bacterial cells conjugate to transfer, not exchange, genetic material.

(B) is partly true because plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can be found in prokaryotic cells alongside their main chromosome, but not all genetic material is confined to them.

(D) is incorrect because bacteria exhibit a high degree of genetic variation due to their ability to undergo horizontal gene transfer (e.g. conjugation, transformation, transduction) and mutation.

(E) is incorrect because as stated above, bacteria can undergo genetic variation through different mechanisms.

Which of These Statements About Prokaryotes Is Correct