Prokaryotic Reproduction: Binary Fission and Horizontal Gene Transfer

Prokaryotic Reproduction

• Main method of reproduction in prokaryotic cells is binary fission, a simple process where one cell divides into two identical cells.

Genetic Material Transfer

• Conjugation is the process that involves the transfer of genetic material between different prokaryotic species, enhancing genetic diversity.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

• Horizontal gene transfer plays a crucial role in prokaryotes by facilitating the acquisition of new traits, including antibiotic resistance, through mechanisms such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

Natural Reservoir

• A natural reservoir refers to organisms or environments that harbor pathogens and facilitate their transmission, acting as a source of infection for humans and other species.

Vector Species

• An example of a vector species for disease transmission is the mosquito, which can carry and spread infectious agents to humans and other animals.

Extremophiles

• The domain Archaea includes extremophiles such as methanogens, which produce methane in anaerobic environments, and halobacteria, which thrive in high-salt environments.

Antibiotic Resistance

• A common cause of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the misuse or overuse of antibiotics, which leads to the selection of resistant strains.

Bacterial Cell Wall Composition

• Bacteria can be classified based on cell wall composition; gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer, while gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer and an outer membrane.

MRSA

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium known for being resistant to many antibiotics, posing significant challenges to treatment.

Spirochete Shape

• Spirochetes commonly exhibit a spiral or helical shape, which aids in their motility through viscous environments.

Gene Expression Similarity

• The domain Eukarya shows more similarity in gene expression to Archaea, particularly in mechanisms related to transcription and translation.