Microbial genetics

Question 1

Genetics

Answer 1

study of heredity

Question 2

Phenotype

Answer 2

observable specific traits of an organism

Question 3

Heredity

Answer 3

ability to transfer genetic material to offspring

Question 4

gene

Answer 4

unit of inheritance

Question 5

Chromosome

Answer 5

supercoiled DNA

Question 6

Genotype

Answer 6

totality of gene traits that are responsible for phenotype

Question 7

Genome

Answer 7

total genetic information

Question 8

DNA/RNA

Answer 8

The site where the genetic info resides

Question 9

Plasmids

Answer 9

small circular pieces of DNA that are separate and replicate independently from its bacterial chromosome

Question 10

BACTERIAL DNA characteristics

Answer 10

It takes 10% of cell volume
it is small and circular
it is 1mm long
has 4 million base pairs
has to be folded 1000x to fit into the cell

Question 11

DNA replication of Bacteria

Answer 11

It is necessary for bacterial replication.
They replicate by binary fission.
Mother cells are identical to their offspring
It starts with chromosomal uncoiling by DNA Gyrase and Helicase
The uncoiled DNA is unzipped to create a replication fork.
Parental DNA is unzipped by DNA helicase and used as a template.
There are 2 types of synthesis
Leading Synthesis which is continuous (5’ to 3’) and it is joined by a DNA polymerase
Lagging Synthesis it is not continuous, short RNA primers are formed and are digested by DNA polymerase, and the short RNA primers are converted to short DNA fragments called Okazaki fragments which are joined together by DNA ligase

Question 12

Plasmid importance

Answer 12

Resistance Plasmid: to form resistance to antibiotics (R-Plasmid)
Mutation Plasmid (F-Plasmid)

Question 13

Types of R-Plasmid

Answer 13

R- determinant

RTF plasmid

Question 14

Transposons

Answer 14

Genetic material capable of moving from chromosome to plasmid, or vice versa, chromosome to chromosome and plasmid to plasmid.

Question 15

Insertion sequence

Answer 15

are jumping gene capable of attachment to other genetic materials.
They usually have transposase

Question 16

Episomes

Answer 16

they are fundamentally plasmids with capability of chromosomal excision and integration.

Question 17

Mutations

Answer 17

inheritable changes in genetic material

Question 18

Types of Mutation

Answer 18

Point Mutation

Frameshift Mutation

Question 19

Causes of mutation

Answer 19

Error in Replication
Physical agents like UV light
Genetic transfer of materials
Chemical agents exposure like Nitrous Acid, Base Analog

Question 20

How does UV light cause mutation

Answer 20

inducing covalent linking between adjacent thymine molecules leading to formation of thymine dimers

Question 21

How does nitrous oxide cause mutation

Answer 21

modification of base pairing

Question 22

Mode of genetic transfer in bacteria

Answer 22

Transformation
Conjugation
Transduction

Question 23

transformation

Answer 23

involves the incorporation of DNA released into the environments by dead cells

Question 24

Transduction

Answer 24

transfer of genetic material via bacteriophage