lecture 33 Flashcards
(10 cards)
1
Q
what is microbial genetics?
A
how dna is transferred between microbes
2
Q
what is vertical gene transfer?
A
parent -> offspring
3
Q
what is horizontal gene transfer?
A
one organism to another, only found in bacteria
4
Q
what was found out by fred griffith’s experiments? what two things did he combine to reach that conclusion?
A
- TB and bacteria use horizontal gene transfer
- combined dead smooth streptococcus (kills) with rough streptococcus (non-harmful)
- mouse died and only live smooth streptococcus present
5
Q
what are the important factors horizontally transferred by bacteria?
A
- virulence, helps bacteria survive better in host
- antibiotic resistance, reduce effectiveness of antibiotic e.g enzymes
6
Q
what are the three types of horizontal gene transfer?
A
transformation, transduction, conjugation
7
Q
how does transformation horizontal gene transfer work?
A
- dna (either from plasmids or chromosome fragments) from dead cell is released into environment
- taken up by living cell, transforms bacteria
- easiest
8
Q
how does transduction gene transfer work?
A
- uses bacteriophage to transfer dna (usually plasmids)
- bacteria specific
- occurs by microphage accidentally putting plasmid into capsid instead of own dna
9
Q
how does conjugation horizontal gene transfer work?
A
- involves 2 living bacteria
- requires cell to cell contact
- uses sexual pilus to attach to another bacteria
- transfers plasmid
10
Q
what is phage therapy?
A
using bacteriophages to treat pathogen bacterial infections
