Answer :
Final answer:
The starting point and direction of the conjugation process between an Hfr strain and F- strain are determined by the orientation of the F factor, a bacterial plasmid. This factor occasionally integrates into a bacterial chromosome, forming an Hfr cell and may then attempt to transfer a part of this chromosome to a recipient F- cell.
Explanation:
The starting point and direction of the conjugation process between an Hfr strain and F- strain are determined by the orientation of the F factor. This F factor, also known as fertility factor, is a bacterial plasmid in E. coli containing genes dictating the ability to conjugate. It may occasionally integrate itself into the bacterial chromosome, thereby forming an Hfr cell.
In the process, it might attempt to transfer a copy of its chromosome to a recipient F- cell. The part of host chromosomal DNA near the integration site of the F plasmid is more likely to be transferred due to its proximity. Therefore, the location and orientation of the F factor play the pivotal role in the conjugation process.
The reference to R plasmids is not directly applicable here since conjugation transfer of R plasmids is mostly related to the spread of antibiotic resistance. R plasmid's transfer is another mechanism and not answering the question asked.
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