Microbial Genetics Flashcards
What are 3 properties of the bacterial genome
1) single circular chromosome
2) no nuclear membrane, only a restricted defined region that contains genetic material: nucleoid
3) plasmids - self-replicating DNA molecules that are found in the CYTOSOL
This is gene transfer directly from one organism to another.
Horizontal gene transfer
This is gene transfer from parent to offspring
Vertical gene transfer
What kind of mutations are horizontal and vertical gene transfer categorised as?
De-novo mutations
What’s the difference between a smooth and rough strain?
Smooth strains have capsids/capsules (aka a sugar coating)
Rough strains have no capsules (aka no sugar coating
What are 2 attributes transferred horizontally by bacteria?
Virulence factors
Antibiotic Resistance
These are attributes that allow bacteria to survive in the host. An example are the capsules in streptococcus pneumonia
Virulence Factors
These are attributes that reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics targeted against the bacteria. An example is the plasmid carrying beta lactamase to inactivate penicillin
Antibiotic resistance
What are the 3 types of horizontal gene transfer?
Transformation, Transduction, Conjugation
This horizontal gene transfer involves the uptake of short fragments of DNA by naturally transformable bacteria
Transformation
This horizontal gene transfer involves transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another using bacteriophages
Transduction
This involves the transfer of DNA material via sexual pilus and requires CELL to CELL contact
Conjugation
This is a specialised form of fimbriae, which only serves to transfer DNA material
Sex pilus/pili
This is the therapeutic use of bacteriophages to treat pathogenic bacterial infections.
Bacteriophage/Phage Therapy
