Conjugation/sexuality in Bacteria was dis- covered by

Options

A. Lederberg and Tatum
B. Zinder and Lederberg
C. Hershey and Chase
D. Meselson and Stahl

Answer

To answer the question "Conjugation/sexuality in Bacteria was discovered by," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Concept of Conjugation**:
- Conjugation is a process in bacteria where genetic material is transferred from one bacterial cell to another through direct contact. This process involves a donor bacterium that transfers genetic material and a recipient bacterium that receives it.

2. **Identify Key Scientists**:
- The question provides four options: Lederberg and Tatum, Zinder and Lederberg, Hershey and Chase, and Meselson and Stoll. We need to identify which of these pairs discovered the process of conjugation.

3. **Evaluate Each Option**:
- **Lederberg and Tatum**: They are known for their work on bacterial conjugation and conducted experiments in 1946 that demonstrated this process.
- **Zinder and Lederberg**: They are known for discovering transduction, which is a different process involving the transfer of genetic material via bacteriophages.
- **Hershey and Chase**: They are famous for their experiments that confirmed DNA as the genetic material, not for conjugation.
- **Meselson and Stoll**: They are known for their work on the semi-conservative replication of DNA, which is unrelated to conjugation.

4. **Select the Correct Answer**:
- Based on the evaluations, the correct answer is **Lederberg and Tatum**, as they were the ones who discovered the process of conjugation in bacteria.

### Final Answer:
Conjugation/sexuality in Bacteria was discovered by **Lederberg and Tatum**.

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