Question

Assertion (A): Conjugation is a conservative process. Reason (R): Donor bacterium generally retain a copy of genetic material as the F plasmid will itself move through the bridge to the recipient cell without replication.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation to (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not correct explanation for (A)
• C. (A) is correct (R) is wrong
• D. (A) is wrong (R) is correct

Hint:

Conjugation is horizontal gene transfer, not a conservative reproduction method.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understand the two statements.
The assertion says bacterial conjugation is a conservative process. The reason says the donor keeps a copy because the F plasmid moves across the bridge without replicating. We must judge both.

Step 2: Recall what conjugation is.
Conjugation is the transfer of genetic material from a donor to a recipient bacterium through a tube-like bridge. It is a way of moving genes, not just keeping them safe.

Step 3: Test the assertion.
Calling conjugation a conservative process is not correct in the sense meant here, because the whole point is to pass genetic material to another cell. So the assertion is wrong.

Step 4: Test the reason.
The reason describes the real mechanism well. The F plasmid is copied as it transfers, so the donor keeps a copy and the recipient also gets one. This description of the transfer is correct. So the reason is true.

Step 5: Compare them.
We have a false assertion and a true reason.

Step 6: Pick the matching option.
That fits the option where (A) is wrong but (R) is correct.
\[ \boxed{\text{(A) is wrong (R) is correct}} \]