Answer :
Viruses can convert and cause bacteria to evolve from benign strains to virulent strains through horizontal gene transfer and genetic mutations. Examples include Vibrio cholerae acquiring a toxin gene, Staphylococcus aureus acquiring methicillin resistance gene, and viruses inducing mutations in Escherichia coli.
Viruses can convert and cause bacteria to evolve from benign strains to virulent strains through a process called horizontal gene transfer. In this process, the virus transfers genes between bacteria, introducing new genetic material that can confer new traits and make the bacteria more virulent. One example is the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which acquired a toxin gene through horizontal gene transfer, allowing it to cause cholera.
Another example is the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which acquired a gene that provides resistance to methicillin through horizontal gene transfer, this made the bacterium more virulent and difficult to treat. Lastly, viruses can also cause bacteria to evolve by causing genetic mutations. Mutations can alter the genetic code of bacteria, resulting in new traits that may make the bacteria more virulent. For example, viruses can induce mutations in the bacterium Escherichia coli, leading to increased production of toxins. So therefore viruses can convert and cause bacterium to evolve from benign strains virulent strains through horizontal gene transfer and genetic mutations.
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