Evolution of mutation rates in bacteria
Week 4
by Ann-Marie Johnson – Monday, January 24, 2022, 10:53 PM
Number of replies: 0
Discussion 4
When I think about bacteria, their mode of transmission, and how dangerous some of them really are, it made me realized that good hand washing, is the single most effective ways of preventing their spread. Something that people often overlooked. It is also important to wear gloves and other PPE’s while working in the fields, especially when collecting samples.
Bacteria – They are single-celled, microscopic organisms which are neither plants nor animals.
There are mainly three shapes of bacteria – coccus (spherical), bacillus (rod-shaped), and spiral.
Structure –They are the prokaryotic cell which has no nucleus. They have a capsule – the outermost layer of some bacteria. Cell wall made of peptidoglycan which gave bacteria its shape. Inner to the cell wall, the plasma membrane is found which helps in the communication and transportation of the chemicals. The cytoplasm is a fluid which contains essential organelles and genetic material. DNA contains the hereditary information. Ribosomes help in protein synthesis. Most bacteria have a motile structure called flagella for locomotion and some other purposes. Pili are outgrowths on the cell surface that helps in the adherence. Reproduction and transformation: Bacteria reproduced and divides into two equal halves a process called Binary fission. Transfer of genetic material: Through conjugation, transformation, or transduction. These methods help bacteria to resist antibiotic medication.
Spores: They are formed during unfavorable conditions to survive as they are resistant to environmental stresses.
enamor E, Matic I (May 2006). “Evolution of mutation rates in bacteria”. Molecular Microbiology. 60 (4): 820–27. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05150. x. PMID 16677295. S2CID 20713095.