Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the term used to describe the observed expression of the genetic determinants?
What is the term used to describe the observed expression of the genetic determinants?
What are the alternative forms of a gene that result from nucleotide sequence changes?
What are the alternative forms of a gene that result from nucleotide sequence changes?
What is the process of change in genetic material?
What is the process of change in genetic material?
What are the altered genes that result from mutations?
What are the altered genes that result from mutations?
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What are the physical, chemical, or physicochemical agents capable of increasing the frequency of mutations?
What are the physical, chemical, or physicochemical agents capable of increasing the frequency of mutations?
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Why are mutants usually easier to recognize in bacterial cells?
Why are mutants usually easier to recognize in bacterial cells?
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What is the system used to designate genes based on their function?
What is the system used to designate genes based on their function?
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What is the term used to describe the mutations that occur at a constant frequency in the absence of external influences?
What is the term used to describe the mutations that occur at a constant frequency in the absence of external influences?
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What is the approximate weight of a teaspoon of packed E. coli cells?
What is the approximate weight of a teaspoon of packed E. coli cells?
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What is the percentage of water in an average cell?
What is the percentage of water in an average cell?
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What is the approximate volume of a cell?
What is the approximate volume of a cell?
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What is the approximate number of ribosomes in a rapidly growing cell?
What is the approximate number of ribosomes in a rapidly growing cell?
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What is the approximate number of different varieties of protein in a cell?
What is the approximate number of different varieties of protein in a cell?
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What is the approximate time it takes for an E. coli cell to make a perfect copy of itself?
What is the approximate time it takes for an E. coli cell to make a perfect copy of itself?
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How many precursor metabolites are needed to copy a cell?
How many precursor metabolites are needed to copy a cell?
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What is the percentage of the cell volume that the periplasmic space forms?
What is the percentage of the cell volume that the periplasmic space forms?
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What is the main function of endospores in microbial physiology?
What is the main function of endospores in microbial physiology?
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What is the structure shown in Fig. 1-15?
What is the structure shown in Fig. 1-15?
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What is the correct order of events in the growth of a cell?
What is the correct order of events in the growth of a cell?
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What is the term for the increase in population of microorganisms?
What is the term for the increase in population of microorganisms?
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What is the function of ribosomes in the spore interior?
What is the function of ribosomes in the spore interior?
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What is the term for the process of cell growth and division?
What is the term for the process of cell growth and division?
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What is the function of the exosporium in a mature spore?
What is the function of the exosporium in a mature spore?
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What is the correct definition of growth in microbial physiology?
What is the correct definition of growth in microbial physiology?
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What determines growth rate in a batch culture?
What determines growth rate in a batch culture?
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What is the purpose of a chemostat?
What is the purpose of a chemostat?
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What is the primary source of carbon for lithotrophs?
What is the primary source of carbon for lithotrophs?
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What is the term for organisms that gain energy through the oxidation of inorganic compounds?
What is the term for organisms that gain energy through the oxidation of inorganic compounds?
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What is the primary source of energy for photoorganotrophs?
What is the primary source of energy for photoorganotrophs?
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What do microorganisms require to support growth?
What do microorganisms require to support growth?
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What is the purpose of the overflow device in a chemostat?
What is the purpose of the overflow device in a chemostat?
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What determines the growth rate in a chemostat?
What determines the growth rate in a chemostat?
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What is the approximate relationship between the number of viable cells and nonviable cells during the stationary phase?
What is the approximate relationship between the number of viable cells and nonviable cells during the stationary phase?
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What is the primary factor that determines the shape of the death phase?
What is the primary factor that determines the shape of the death phase?
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What is the formula for determining the generation time (tg) or doubling time?
What is the formula for determining the generation time (tg) or doubling time?
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What type of culture is typically used to grow bacteria?
What type of culture is typically used to grow bacteria?
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What is the relationship between the number of cells in a population (b) and the number of cells in the initial inoculum (a)?
What is the relationship between the number of cells in a population (b) and the number of cells in the initial inoculum (a)?
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What is the primary reason for the decline in viable population during the death phase?
What is the primary reason for the decline in viable population during the death phase?
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What is the purpose of solving the equation for n?
What is the purpose of solving the equation for n?
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What is the first step in the process of protein synthesis?
What is the first step in the process of protein synthesis?
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What is the role of ribosomal ribonucleic acids (rRNA) in protein synthesis?
What is the role of ribosomal ribonucleic acids (rRNA) in protein synthesis?
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What is the term for the RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome?
What is the term for the RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome?
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What is the process by which the genetic information contained within DNA is processed to produce proteins?
What is the process by which the genetic information contained within DNA is processed to produce proteins?
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What is the role of the anticodon in translation?
What is the role of the anticodon in translation?
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What is the term for the enzyme responsible for transcribing RNA from DNA?
What is the term for the enzyme responsible for transcribing RNA from DNA?
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What is the term for the process by which the enzyme RNA polymerase locates the beginning of a gene (promoter)?
What is the term for the process by which the enzyme RNA polymerase locates the beginning of a gene (promoter)?
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What is the term for the tRNA molecule that has an attached amino acid?
What is the term for the tRNA molecule that has an attached amino acid?
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What is the term used to describe the inhibition of enzyme 1 activity due to excessive production of intermediate B?
What is the term used to describe the inhibition of enzyme 1 activity due to excessive production of intermediate B?
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What is the result of an excess intracellular concentration of end-product C on enzyme 1?
What is the result of an excess intracellular concentration of end-product C on enzyme 1?
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What is the genetic process by which substrates stimulate the transcription of genes?
What is the genetic process by which substrates stimulate the transcription of genes?
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What is the mechanism by which amino acids regulate their own biosynthesis?
What is the mechanism by which amino acids regulate their own biosynthesis?
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What is the purpose of genetic repression in amino acid biosynthesis?
What is the purpose of genetic repression in amino acid biosynthesis?
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What is the difference between feedback inhibition and genetic repression?
What is the difference between feedback inhibition and genetic repression?
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What is the outcome of the sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases in a gene?
What is the outcome of the sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases in a gene?
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What is the role of transcription in the central dogma?
What is the role of transcription in the central dogma?
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What is the end result of the process shown in Fig. 1-9?
What is the end result of the process shown in Fig. 1-9?
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What is the term for a heritable unit of function composed of a specific sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases?
What is the term for a heritable unit of function composed of a specific sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases?
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What is the relationship between the genotype and the sum total of all hereditary units of genes?
What is the relationship between the genotype and the sum total of all hereditary units of genes?
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What is the outcome of the base sequence in an RNA molecule?
What is the outcome of the base sequence in an RNA molecule?
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What is the role of the sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases in a gene?
What is the role of the sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases in a gene?
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What is the relationship between the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain and the genotype of an organism?
What is the relationship between the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain and the genotype of an organism?
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What is the characteristic feature of Type III interpeptide bridges?
What is the characteristic feature of Type III interpeptide bridges?
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What type of interpeptide bridge is found in B.rettgeri?
What type of interpeptide bridge is found in B.rettgeri?
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What is the common feature of Type III and Type IV interpeptide bridges?
What is the common feature of Type III and Type IV interpeptide bridges?
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What is the function of lipoprotein molecules in E. coli?
What is the function of lipoprotein molecules in E. coli?
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What is the function of LamB in E. coli?
What is the function of LamB in E. coli?
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What is the function of interpeptide bridges in peptidoglycan?
What is the function of interpeptide bridges in peptidoglycan?
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What is the difference between Type III and Type IV interpeptide bridges?
What is the difference between Type III and Type IV interpeptide bridges?
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Which of the following porins forms a single, small, highly anion-selective channel?
Which of the following porins forms a single, small, highly anion-selective channel?
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What is the result of mutants lacking Lpp and OmpA in E. coli?
What is the result of mutants lacking Lpp and OmpA in E. coli?
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What is the composition of Type III interpeptide bridges?
What is the composition of Type III interpeptide bridges?
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What is the function of the outer membrane in E. coli?
What is the function of the outer membrane in E. coli?
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What is the primary function of OmpC and OmpF in E. coli?
What is the primary function of OmpC and OmpF in E. coli?
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What is the structure of the OmpF porin of E. coli?
What is the structure of the OmpF porin of E. coli?
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What is the common feature of OmpF and PhoE porins?
What is the common feature of OmpF and PhoE porins?
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What is the characteristic feature of Type IV interpeptide bridges?
What is the characteristic feature of Type IV interpeptide bridges?
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What is the purpose of studying interpeptide bridges in peptidoglycan?
What is the purpose of studying interpeptide bridges in peptidoglycan?
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What is the primary difference between OmpF and OmpC?
What is the primary difference between OmpF and OmpC?
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What is the function of porin proteins in E. coli?
What is the function of porin proteins in E. coli?
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What is the common feature of most porins from E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and Y. pestis?
What is the common feature of most porins from E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and Y. pestis?
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What is the name of the protein porin that forms a single anion-specific channel in P. aeruginosa?
What is the name of the protein porin that forms a single anion-specific channel in P. aeruginosa?
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What is the function of OmpP porin in P. aeruginosa?
What is the function of OmpP porin in P. aeruginosa?
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What is the effect of losing outer membrane lipoprotein (Lpp) and OmpA on the cell envelope and shape of E. coli?
What is the effect of losing outer membrane lipoprotein (Lpp) and OmpA on the cell envelope and shape of E. coli?
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How many separate channels do PhoE porins form?
How many separate channels do PhoE porins form?
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What is the significance of Mg2+ and Ca2+ for the growth of E. coli mutants lacking Lpp and OmpA?
What is the significance of Mg2+ and Ca2+ for the growth of E. coli mutants lacking Lpp and OmpA?
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What is the function of the enzymes encoded by genes in the rfe and rfb gene clusters?
What is the function of the enzymes encoded by genes in the rfe and rfb gene clusters?
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What is the composition of the trisaccharide repeat units of ECA?
What is the composition of the trisaccharide repeat units of ECA?
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What is the function of the genes in the rff gene cluster?
What is the function of the genes in the rff gene cluster?
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What is the name of the enzyme responsible for the first stage of lipid A biosynthesis?
What is the name of the enzyme responsible for the first stage of lipid A biosynthesis?
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What is the product of the second stage of lipid A biosynthesis?
What is the product of the second stage of lipid A biosynthesis?
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What is the function of the third stage of lipid A biosynthesis?
What is the function of the third stage of lipid A biosynthesis?
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Why are the rfe and rfb gene clusters involved in both LPS and ECA biosynthesis?
Why are the rfe and rfb gene clusters involved in both LPS and ECA biosynthesis?
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What is the structure of the ECA cell surface glycolipid?
What is the structure of the ECA cell surface glycolipid?
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What is the main component of the nucleosome core in eukaryotic chromosomes?
What is the main component of the nucleosome core in eukaryotic chromosomes?
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What is the function of the histone-like protein HU in E. coli?
What is the function of the histone-like protein HU in E. coli?
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What is the configuration of nucleosomes in the repeating unit of DNA organization?
What is the configuration of nucleosomes in the repeating unit of DNA organization?
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How many major histone proteins form the octomer in the nucleosome core?
How many major histone proteins form the octomer in the nucleosome core?
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What is the approximate size of the bar in the diagram?
What is the approximate size of the bar in the diagram?
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What is the role of histones in eukaryotic chromosomes?
What is the role of histones in eukaryotic chromosomes?
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How many kDa subunits are present in the HU protein?
How many kDa subunits are present in the HU protein?
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What is the purpose of X-ray diffraction in studying nucleosomes?
What is the purpose of X-ray diffraction in studying nucleosomes?
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What is the term used to describe the DNA-containing region of the cell in most bacteria?
What is the term used to describe the DNA-containing region of the cell in most bacteria?
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What is characteristic of the nuclear membrane in eukaryotic cells?
What is characteristic of the nuclear membrane in eukaryotic cells?
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What can be seen lining the rough endoplasmic reticulum in Figure 7-1?
What can be seen lining the rough endoplasmic reticulum in Figure 7-1?
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What is the term used to describe the region between the nucleus and the plasmalemma in Figure 7-1?
What is the term used to describe the region between the nucleus and the plasmalemma in Figure 7-1?
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What is the function of the structures shown in Figure 7-2 (b)?
What is the function of the structures shown in Figure 7-2 (b)?
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What is the characteristic of the cell wall in Figure 7-2 (a)?
What is the characteristic of the cell wall in Figure 7-2 (a)?
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What is the term used to describe the distinct region within a bacterium where the chromosome is folded?
What is the term used to describe the distinct region within a bacterium where the chromosome is folded?
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What is the difference between eubacteria and archaebacteria in terms of their nuclear membrane?
What is the difference between eubacteria and archaebacteria in terms of their nuclear membrane?
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What is the purpose of having multiple nucleoids in fast-growing bacterial cells?
What is the purpose of having multiple nucleoids in fast-growing bacterial cells?
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During cell division, when does the separation of the duplicating nucleoid occur?
During cell division, when does the separation of the duplicating nucleoid occur?
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What is the role of proteins like ParB in Caulobacter crescentus and SpoOJ in Bacillus subtilis?
What is the role of proteins like ParB in Caulobacter crescentus and SpoOJ in Bacillus subtilis?
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What is the term used to describe the occurrence of multiple copies of nucleoids or entire chromosomes in bacteria?
What is the term used to describe the occurrence of multiple copies of nucleoids or entire chromosomes in bacteria?
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What is the purpose of fluorescence microscopy studies in bacteria?
What is the purpose of fluorescence microscopy studies in bacteria?
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What is the stage of the cell cycle during which DNA replication occurs?
What is the stage of the cell cycle during which DNA replication occurs?
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What is the result of having multiple nucleoids in bacteria?
What is the result of having multiple nucleoids in bacteria?
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What is the mechanism by which nucleoids are segregated during cell division in bacteria?
What is the mechanism by which nucleoids are segregated during cell division in bacteria?
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What is the primary function of histones in eukaryotic chromosomes?
What is the primary function of histones in eukaryotic chromosomes?
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What is the term used to describe the repeating unit of DNA organization in eukaryotic chromosomes?
What is the term used to describe the repeating unit of DNA organization in eukaryotic chromosomes?
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What is the approximate mass of the DNA and histone proteins in a nucleosome core?
What is the approximate mass of the DNA and histone proteins in a nucleosome core?
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What is the term used to describe the structure formed by the interaction of genomic DNA with DNA-binding proteins in E. coli?
What is the term used to describe the structure formed by the interaction of genomic DNA with DNA-binding proteins in E. coli?
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What is the function of the HU protein in E. coli?
What is the function of the HU protein in E. coli?
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What is the approximate size of the subunits of the HU protein in E. coli?
What is the approximate size of the subunits of the HU protein in E. coli?
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What is the proposed role of the HU protein in E. coli?
What is the proposed role of the HU protein in E. coli?
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What is the result of extensive digestion of chromatin with micrococcal nuclease?
What is the result of extensive digestion of chromatin with micrococcal nuclease?
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Study Notes
Genetic Determinants
- The observed expression of genetic determinants is referred to as the phenotype
- An individual gene can exist in different forms as a result of nucleotide sequence changes, known as alleles
- Genetic material can change or mutate through a process called mutagenesis
- Altered genes are referred to as mutant alleles, in contrast to normal or wild-type alleles
Mutations
- Spontaneous mutations can occur during replication, repair, and recombination of DNA due to errors made by enzymes involved in DNA metabolism
- Mutations can be increased by environmental influences such as radiation, chemicals, and physical or chemical agents (mutagens)
- Induced mutations occur as a result of external influences, whereas spontaneous mutations occur at a constant frequency without external influences
Bacterial Cells
- Bacterial cells are haploid, making it easier to recognize mutants
- The total weight of an average cell is 9.5 × 10^(-13) g, with water making up 70% of the cell
- The dry weight of a cell is 2.8 × 10^(-13) g, composed of protein, RNA, DNA, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, and other components
Cell Structure
- The periplasmic space makes up 30% of the cell volume
- One teaspoon of packed E. coli weighs approximately 1 gram (wet weight) and contains about one trillion cells
- The bacterial cell contains two copies of the chromosome when growing rapidly, as well as 18,700 ribosomes and over 2 million total molecules of protein
Cell Growth
- Growth is the culmination of an ordered interplay among all physiological activities of the cell
- The growth cycle consists of five stages: entrance of basic nutrients, conversion of nutrients into energy and vital cell constituents, replication of the chromosome, increase in size and mass, and division of the cell into two daughter cells
Growth Curve
- A typical growth curve for a bacterial culture shows a lag phase, exponential phase, stationary phase, and death phase
- The stationary phase represents an equilibrium between the number of cells able to divide and the number that are unable to divide
- The death phase may assume a linear function depending on the nature of the organism and factors contributing to cell death
Growth Rate
- The number of cells in a population (b) is equal to the number of cells in the initial inoculum (a) × 2^n
- The generation time (tg) or doubling time can be determined by dividing the time elapsed (t) by the number of generations (n)
Continuous Culture
- Continuous culture allows for the growth of bacteria at different rates and high cell density
- A chemostat is used to add fresh medium containing a limiting nutrient at a set rate, allowing for external control of growth rate
Factors Affecting Growth
- Nutrition: all living organisms require sources of carbon, nitrogen, energy, and essential growth factors
- Microorganisms vary widely in their nutritional requirements, with two main groups classified based on their ability to gain energy from certain sources:
- Lithotrophs: utilize carbon dioxide as the sole source of carbon and gain energy through oxidation of inorganic compounds or light
- Organotrophs: prefer organic substrates as a source of energy and carbon
Chromosomal Segregation and Cell Division
- Chromosomal segregation must occur before the cell completes construction of the cross-wall that separates the two offspring cells.
Protein Synthesis (Translation)
- The genetic information in DNA is processed in two steps to produce proteins.
- The enzyme RNA polymerase locates the beginning of a gene (promoter) and transcribes RNA from the DNA template.
- The RNA, called messenger RNA (mRNA), is transcribed before being completely translated into protein.
- A ribosome attaches to the beginning of the mRNA and translates it into protein by reading three nucleotides (triplet codon) as a specific amino acid.
- Each amino acid must be attached to an adaptor or transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule specific for that amino acid.
- The tRNA molecule containing an attached amino acid is referred to as a charged tRNA molecule.
- The anticodon of the tRNA molecule base-pairs with the codon in mRNA.
Transcription and Translation
- The sequence of events involved in transcription and translation is depicted in Figure 1-8.
- The ribosome translates mRNA into protein by reading three nucleotides (triplet codon) as a specific amino acid.
Genetic Terms
- A gene is a heritable unit of function composed of a specific sequence of purine and pyrimidine bases.
- The genotype of an organism is the sum total of all of the hereditary units of genes.
Genetic Regulation
- Genetic repression is the inhibition of enzyme synthesis by the end product of the reaction.
- Induction is the stimulation of enzyme synthesis by the substrate of a pathway.
- Hypothetical pathways illustrating genetic repression and induction are presented in Figure 1-9.
- Feedback or end-product inhibition occurs when excessive production of an intermediate results in the inhibition of an enzyme activity.
- Genetic repression occurs when an excess of end-product C inhibits the transcription of genes encoding the biosynthetic enzymes.
Nucleosomes
- Eukaryotic chromosomes are organized into DNA-protein complexes called nucleosomes
- Proteins, mainly histones, play an important role in determining the conformation of eukaryotic chromosomes, referred to as chromatin
- Nucleosomes are frequently seen in a "beads-on-a-string" configuration
- Extensive digestion of chromatin with micrococcal nuclease releases the nucleosome core, a small, well-defined particle
- The particle mass is equally distributed between 146 bp of DNA and an octomer formed by two each of four major histone proteins (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4)
Histone-like Proteins in E. coli
- The genomic DNA of E. coli is compacted into a nucleosome-like structure by interaction with several DNA-binding proteins
- As many as 12 species of nucleoid proteins have been identified
- Histone-like protein HU contains two closely related 10 kDa subunits, HU-α and HU-β, encoded by hupA and hupB
- HU protein is involved in stabilizing higher-order nucleoprotein structures to confer specificity during DNA interactions
Peptidoglycan and Interpeptide Bridges
- Type III bridge: composed of one to several peptides, each having the same amino acid sequence as the peptide unit attached to muramic acid; found in Micrococcus luteus
- Type IV bridge: extending between carboxyl groups belonging to either D-alanine or to D-glutamate and a diamino acid residue or a diamino acid-containing short peptide; found in B. rettgeri
Porins and Cell Surface
- Porins facilitate the entry of specific metabolites into the cell
- OmpF and OmpC are general porins that allow hydrophilic solutes of a molecular weight less than 700 to traverse the outer membrane
- OmpF forms coalescing channels, while PhoE porin forms three separate channels
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms a single, small, highly anion-selective channel (OmpP)
- Most porins appear to be cation selective, while only a few show anion selectivity
Outer Membrane and Lipoprotein
- Lipoprotein molecules serve to anchor the outer membrane to the peptidoglycan layer
- Mutants lacking lipoprotein and OmpA display spherical morphology and abundant blebbing of the outer membrane
- Lipoprotein is essential for maintaining the association of the murein layer with the outer membrane
Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis
- The three components of LPS (O-antigen, core oligosaccharide, and lipid A) are synthesized independently of each other and later ligated in or on the inner membrane
- LPS is translocated to the outer membrane after assembly
- Enterobacterial common antigen (ECA) is a cell surface glycolipid synthesized by all members of the Enterobacteriaceae
- ECA is a heteropolymer containing N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-mannosaminuronic acid, and 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-galactose linked together to form chains of trisaccharide repeat units
Lipid A Biosynthesis
- Lipid A biosynthesis in E. coli involves three stages: UDP-GlcNAc acylation, disaccharide formation and 4' kinase action, and KDO transfer and late acylation
- Enzymes encoded by genes in the lpxA, lpxC, lpxD, lpxB, and kdtA genes are involved in lipid A biosynthesis
Bacterial Nucleoids
- Bacterial nucleoids are not bound by a nuclear membrane, unlike eukaryotic nuclei.
- Fast-growing cells can display multiple nucleoids due to multifork replication, facilitating rapid cell doubling.
- The presence of multiple copies of nucleoids or entire chromosomes (multiploidy) is common in many bacterial species.
- Separation of duplicating nucleoids during cell division occurs during the S phase.
- Fluorescence microscopy studies reveal a mitosis-like movement of immunolabeled nucleoids during replication and cell division in bacteria.
Protein Components of Chromosomal Segregation Apparatus
- Protein components, such as ParB in Caulobacter crescentus and SpoOJ in Bacillus subtilis, direct the oriC region toward the poles.
- These proteins appear to move toward the poles in a mitosis-like manner in concert with oriC.
Nucleosomes
- Eukaryotic chromosomes are organized into DNA-protein complexes termed nucleosomes.
- The proteins, mainly histones, play an important role in determining the conformation of eukaryotic chromosomes, referred to as chromatin.
- Nucleosomes are frequently seen in a "beads-on-a-string" configuration.
- The nucleosome core is a small, well-defined particle that has been crystallized, with a particle mass equally distributed between 146 bp of DNA and an octomer formed by two each of four major histone proteins (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4).
Nucleoid Proteins in E. coli
- The genomic DNA of E. coli is compacted into a nucleosome-like structure by interaction with several DNA-binding proteins.
- As many as 12 species of nucleoid proteins have been identified, including the histone-like protein HU.
- HU protein contains two closely related 10 kDa subunits, HU-α and HU-β, encoded by hupA and hupB.
- HU protein is involved in stabilizing higher-order nucleoprotein structures to confer specificity during DNA interactions.
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of genetics, including the concept of phenotype, alleles, and mutagenesis. It explores the changes in genetic material and their effects on an organism.