Microbial populations achieve genetic diversity through horizontal gene transfer. Bacteria may transfer genes from one to another by conjugation, transformation, or transduction. Scientists often exploit these processes through recombinant DNA.
All cellular organisms ? prokaryotic and eukaryotic ? share basic chemical similarities. Out of these similarities, however, emerge diverse patterns of cell assembly. Students encounter the tools to understand various cell types and their relationship to nonc ell entities such as viruses.
DNA is central to cell activity, replicating with great fidelity and carrying the information for all proteins. Organisms also regulate the products made from genes in an effort to conserve energy and adapt to new environments.
The metabolic pathways that produce energy create important environmental transformations. Although living organisms have diverse ways of meeting their energy needs, there is an amazing similarity between all life forms as they carry out metabolism directed to the construction and use of necessary biological molecules.
Recent genetic techniques have led to new theories of evolution and the relationships between organisms. Students examine this "evolution revolution," using molecular sequences to trace the phylogenetic relationships of microbial life. Both the big picture of microbial evolution and the methods necessary for determining molecular phylogenies are examined.
The world of microorganisms is a dynamic one, and all other life forms depend on microbial metabolic activity. Recent genetic research has uncovered only about one percent of the microbes that remain to be discovered.
The world of microorganisms is a dynamic one, and all other life forms depend on microbial metabolic activity. Recent genetic research has uncovered only about one percent of the microbes that remain to be discovered.
Microbial populations achieve genetic diversity through horizontal gene transfer. Bacteria may transfer genes from one to another by conjugation, transformation, or transduction. Scientists often exploit these processes through recombinant DNA.
Microbial populations achieve genetic diversity through horizontal gene transfer. Bacteria may transfer genes from one to another by conjugation, transformation, or transduction. Scientists often exploit these processes through recombinant DNA.
All cellular organisms ? prokaryotic and eukaryotic ? share basic chemical similarities. Out of these similarities, however, emerge diverse patterns of cell assembly. Students encounter the tools to understand various cell types and their relationship to non cell entities such as viruses.
Recent genetic techniques have led to new theories of evolution and the relationships between organisms. Students examine this "evolution revolution," using molecular sequences to trace the phylogenetic relationships of microbial life. Both the big picture of microbial evolution and the methods necessary for determining molecular phylogenies are examined.
