What is the primary function of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in bacteria?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the main role of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in bacterial organisms, highlighting its function related to defending against certain threats.
Answer
Adaptive immune system of bacteria against invaders.
The primary function of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in bacteria is to serve as an adaptive immune system, protecting bacteria from invaders such as bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and mobile genetic elements.
Answer for screen readers
The primary function of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in bacteria is to serve as an adaptive immune system, protecting bacteria from invaders such as bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) and mobile genetic elements.
More Information
CRISPR/Cas9 systems in bacteria and archaea serve to degrade foreign genetic elements, thereby preventing the replication and spread of those invaders.
Sources
- CRISPR-cas system's protective role in bacteria - BMC Microbiology - ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com
- Natural functions of CRISPR-Cas - Max-Planck-Gesellschaft - mpg.de
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