Paper I — 2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) — Q17

Paper I

2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

Clinical importance of plasmids in bacteria with two examples.

Q171 marks★✓

Answer

Clinical importance of plasmids: plasmids, particularly R (resistance) plasmids, are the principal vehicle for the rapid horizontal spread of antibiotic resistance between bacteria via conjugation, even across different species/genera.

Two examples: (1) an R plasmid carrying beta-lactamase genes, conferring resistance to penicillins/cephalosporins; (2) a plasmid carrying genes for a bacterial toxin (e.g., enterotoxin genes in enterotoxigenic E. coli), directly contributing to virulence.

Related Concepts

1. 1Bacterial Genetics

Other Years Asked

1. 1Describe principles of genetic engineering and their applications.2022 February (2019 Scheme)Short Essay · 8 marks
2. 2Conjugation2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Essay · 5 marks
3. 3Transduction2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
4. 4Define plasmid. Give two clinical significance of plasmid.2023 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
5. 5R plasmid2013 April (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
6. 6Transformation2022 October (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
7. 7Mutation.2017 February (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
8. 8Transposons.2021 December (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
9. 9Name two horizontal gene transfer method in bacteria2025 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
10. 10Bacterial conjugation.2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
11. 11Plasmids2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
12. 12Transduction2016 February (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
13. 13Transduction2014 March (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
14. 14Plasmid2021 February (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
15. 15Enumerate methods of gene – transfer in bacteria2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
16. 16Mention two methods of extra chromosomal transfer of genetic material in bacteria2018 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 2 marks
17. 17An example of extrachromosomal element is2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)MCQ · 1 mark