MicroBio 14: Microbial Genetics

Question 1

The study of mechanisms of heritable information in microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and aome protozoa and fungi

Answer 1

Microbial Genetics

Question 2

The discussion focuses on mechanisims of variation in bacteria to understand the evolution of new strains such as:

Answer 2

Anti-biotic resistant strains of bacteria

Question 2

The genophore or nucleoid that carries genetic information (DNA) carried from the past generations

Answer 2

Bacterial Chromosome

Question 2

Small extra-chromosonal DNA that contain some genes such as antibiotic resistance obtained through recombination

Answer 2

Bacterial Plasmid

Question 2

Bacterial plasmid wherein its genes code for antibiotic resistance or poisons

Answer 2

Resistance plasmids

Question 2

Important for bacterial gene transfers

Answer 2

Pilus

Question 2

A bacterial plasmid that initiates bacterial conjugation

Answer 2

Fertility plasmid

Question 2

Types of Bacterial Plasmids

Answer 2

1. Fertility plasmids (F factor)
2. Resistance plasmids (R factor)
3. Virulence plasmids
4. Metabolism plasmids

Question 3

Bacterial Plasmids that enable digestion of unusual subtances like petroleum

Answer 3

Metabolism plasmid

Question 3

Bacterial Plasmids that turn bacteria into a pathogen

Answer 3

Virulence plasmid

Question 4

What are the genes encoded in a Bacterial plasmid

Answer 4

Promoter
- to drive target gene expression
Target gene
Antibiotic resistance gene
ex: Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Question 5

Mechanisms of Gene Transfers in Bacteria

Answer 5

1. Transformation
2. Conjugation
3. Transduction

Question 6

a process of horizontal gene transfer where some bacteria take up foreign genetic material (naked DNA) from the environment

Answer 6

Transformation

Question 7

which experiment initially links DNA as the genetic material? (transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae)

Answer 7

Griffith’s experiment

Question 8

True or False: Conjugation is also termed as the transfer of DNA (depends on the presence of plasmid).

Answer 8

True

Question 8

the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells by direct cell-to-cell contact or by a bridge-like connection (sex pilus) between two cells.

Answer 8

Conjugation

Question 9

The genetic information transferred is often (beneficial or harmful) to the recepient.

Answer 9

beneficial

Question 10

True or False: an example of conjugation is the gene transferred - antibiotic resistance gene.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

the process by which foreign DNA is transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus or viral vector

Answer 11

Transduction

Question 12

example of a microorganism that undergoes transduction

Answer 12

Bacteriophage

Question 13

The Transduction Process

Answer 13

1. Phage injects DNA
2. Phage enzyme breaks down host DNA
   3 - 4. Cell creates new phages, including phage and host DNA
   5-6. Transducing phage inserts donor DNA
3. Donor DNA included in recipients chromosome due to recombination