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Microbial Evolution and Systematics - Taxonomic Methods in Systematics

8 important questions on Microbial Evolution and Systematics - Taxonomic Methods in Systematics

What is horizontal gene transfer, and how does it differ from vertical gene transfer?

Horizontal gene transfer involves the exchange of DNA between cells, unlike vertical gene transfer that occurs during cell division. It allows DNA transfer between distant branches of the phylogenetic tree, and the mechanisms include transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

What are the three mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer, and how do they differ?

The three mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer are transformation, transduction, and conjugation. Transformation involves the uptake of naked DNA from the environment, transduction involves DNA transfer by bacteriophages, and conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell transfer of genetic material through a pilus.

What distinguishes horizontal gene transfer from sexual recombination?

Horizontal gene transfer is unidirectional, asymmetrical, and not constrained by species boundaries. It involves the transfer of DNA from a donor to a recipient, usually in small amounts, and can occur between distantly related organisms. Sexual recombination is often more symmetrical and occurs within a species.
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How does horizontal gene transfer impact microbial evolution, and what role does the mobilome play in this process?

Horizontal gene transfer has a significant impact on microbial evolution by allowing cells to acquire new genetic information. The mobilome, which includes mobile genetic elements like plasmids, prophages, insertion sequences, transposons, and integrons, facilitates this transfer, promoting genome evolution by shuffling genes within and between genomes.

Explain how insertion sequences and transposons contribute to chromosomal rearrangements.

Insertion sequences and transposons are mobile genetic elements that can cause chromosomal rearrangements. They can jump between different DNA segments through a "cut and paste" mechanism mediated by enzymes like transposase. Multiple insertion sequences may lead to deletions, inversions, or translocations, impacting the organization of genetic material.

How can horizontally transferred genes be detected, and what methods are commonly used for this purpose?

Horizontally transferred genes can be detected through statistical analysis of sequence composition or phylogenetic analysis. Sequence composition methods include analyzing G + C content and codon bias. Phylogenetic analysis involves constructing phylogenetic trees for different genes, with differences in the pattern of ancestry indicating horizontally transferred genes.

Why is the detection of horizontally transferred genes challenging, and what factors influence the ease of detection?

Detecting horizontally transferred genes can be challenging because many microbial genomes have similar sequence characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis is more effective when genes are transferred between highly dissimilar organisms, while close relatives may show subtle differences. The rate of horizontal gene transfer is low per cell per generation, but its cumulative impact is significant over evolutionary history.

What is the role of horizontal gene transfer in microbial communities, and how does it contribute to genetic diversity?

Horizontal gene transfer allows microbial communities to exchange genetic material, promoting genetic diversity. It enables cells to explore a wide range of genetic information, acquiring new functions and evolving traits. The interplay of horizontally transferred genes within microbial communities contributes to their adaptation and evolution.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Brock Biology of Microorganisms, Global Edition | 9781292235103 | Michael T Madigan, et al

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