Question

The bacteria in a colony are unable to perform transduction. how would this hurt the bacterial colony's chance for survival?

Answer 1

The bacteria would be genetically more similar (apex)

Answer 2

Ans.

Transduction is a process of gene transfer in bacteria that involves transfer of genes from a bacterium (host cells) to another bacterium (recipient cell) via bacteriophages.

Transduction is an important process at it causes genetic recombination in bacterial population and increases genetic diversity within them. Genetic diversity increases chances of survival of organisms as it provides ability to adapt to new conditions, such as change in environment or resource scarcity.  

Thus, if a bacterial colony cannot perform transduction, chances for survival for this bacterial colony will decrease.