In some species, this process is controlled by the virB (“veer-B”) genes. This process can be temporally visualized via time-of-entry mapping. Factors involved in this process, some of which are inhibited by finO and finP, are encoded by genes on the tra (“trah”) operon. TraI (“trah-I”) initiates this process by creating a nick onto the oriT (“OR-ee-T”) site; that action eventually leads to the formation of a relaxosome. The type IV (“4”) secretion system mediates the movement of the T-strand during this process. Integration of (*) fertility factors during this process often leads to the creation of Hfr (“H-F-R”) strains. During this process, a donor cell bridges itself to a recipient cell using a sex pilus, which the donor also uses to transfer an F plasmid. For 10 points, name this cell-contact-dependent form of bacterial DNA transfer often described as “bacterial sex.” ■END■
ANSWER: bacterial conjugation [prompt on type IV secretion system or T4SS with “what specific process is being conducted by the type IV secretion system?” until “type IV” is read; prompt on horizontal gene transfer or lateral gene transfer or HGT or LGT; prompt on bacterial sex until “bacterial sex” is read; reject “transformation”; reject “transduction”]
<Kane Nguyen, Biology>
= Average correct buzz position