3874, conjugation is independent of reproduction Posted by nonaime, Sun Sep-28-03 12:39 AM
Bacteria reproduce only when conditions are right for them to do so. They don't reproduce until you see visible colonies. When they aren't reproducing, they can transfer genetic information via conjugation.
Conjugation can occur between species. Ever hear of the buzzword "Superbacteria"? If baceteria were simply clones of one another, we wouldn't be seeing this phenomenon. Bacteria have plenty of ways to diversify their genome. That clones stuff is old biology. Pick up a textbook or book written in the last 5 years and then we can discuss more.
And no, superbacteria aren't a proof of evolution (in the sense that the author of the thread seems to define it). The resistant bacteria didn't evolve into new species...they've simply adapted totheir environment.
|