conjugational
- adjective
- /ˌkɒn.dʒʊˈɡeɪ.ʃən.əl/
- Specialized
- The scientists studied the conjugational mechanisms that allow bacteria to exchange DNA.
Examples
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Certain antibiotics can inhibit conjugational transfer of resistance genes among microbes.
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Understanding conjugational processes is important for controlling the spread of genetic traits in bacteria.
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The conjugational process is vital for genetic diversity.
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Many bacteria engage in conjugational transfer of DNA.
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The researchers studied the conjugational transfer of genes between bacteria in the laboratory.
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During the experiment, they observed conjugational events that facilitated genetic exchanges among microorganisms.
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The conjugational mechanism is essential for understanding how traits are passed between different species.
Synonyms
Able to transfer genes between bacteria by direct contact
Surface Forms
Morphology
conjugational = conjugation (transparent) = conjug + ation + al
The adjective is formed regularly by adding -al to the technical noun conjugation, so the relation is clear once the base is known.
Etymology
Conjugational comes from the Latin word conjugare, made of con- 'together' and jug- 'yoke' or 'join'. In biology this is a helpful image: conjugational transfer is like two cells 'joining' so they can pass genetic material.