Microbial genetics Flashcards
Genetics
study of heredity
Phenotype
observable specific traits of an organism
Heredity
ability to transfer genetic material to offspring
gene
unit of inheritance
Chromosome
supercoiled DNA
Genotype
totality of gene traits that are responsible for phenotype
Genome
total genetic information
DNA/RNA
The site where the genetic info resides
Plasmids
small circular pieces of DNA that are separate and replicate independently from its bacterial chromosome
BACTERIAL DNA characteristics
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
DNA replication of Bacteria
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
Plasmid importance
Resistance Plasmid: to form resistance to antibiotics (R-Plasmid) Mutation Plasmid (F-Plasmid)
Types of R-Plasmid
R- determinant
RTF plasmid
Transposons
Genetic material capable of moving from chromosome to plasmid, or vice versa, chromosome to chromosome and plasmid to plasmid.
Insertion sequence
are jumping gene capable of attachment to other genetic materials.
They usually have transposase
