Bacterial Genetics
Dr.Minal Trivedi
Principal,
HVHP Institute of Post Graduate Studies and
Research,
Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya
Kadi – Gujarat
2
Content
GENETICS- Study of Genetic Material
Genes and Genome
Genotype and Phenotype
Bacterial Genome
Plasmids
Mutation
Learning Outcomes
After studying this unit, the student would
know:
Basics of Genetics
Difference Between Gene and Genome
Genome Structure and Function
Structure of DNA
Difference between Genotype and Phenotype
GENETICS- Study of Genetic Material
Study of genes carry information, how they are replicated and
passed to other generations, and how they affect the
characteristics of an organism.
Study of genes their structure & function, heredity &
variation
Genomics-Study & analysis of nucleotides of DNA
Gene and Genome
Chromosomes are cellular structures made up of genes that
carry hereditary information.
The genetic information in a cell is the genome.
A gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a functional product.
Image Courtesy: pressenza.com,
ocf.berkeley.edu
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
CHROMOSOMES GENES SEGMENTS
NUCLEUS OF DNA
Genotype and Phenotype
The genotype is an organism’s genetic makeup, the information
that codes for all the characteristics and potential properties of
the organism.
The genotype is its gene collection- its DNA.
The phenotype refers to an organism’s actual expressed
properties, such as its ability to perform a chemical reaction.
The phenotype is the collection of
enzymatic or structural proteins.
Dashamlav.com. Web. 22 June 2023. <https://dashamlav.com/genotype-vs-phenotype/>
Bacterial Genome
The prokaryotic (bacterial) genetic material is usually
concentrated in a specific clear region of the cytoplasm called
nucleoid.
The genome is a single, circular, double stranded DNA
molecule mostly attached to the plasma membrane at one
point. It does not contain any histone protein.
Usually each cell contain one single
copy of each chromosome.
The genetic material can be seen as a fairly compact clump
(or series of clumps) that occupies about a third of the
volume of the cell named NUCLEOID.
Certain bacteria like the Borrelia burgdorferi possess array
of linear chromosome like eukaryotes.
Bacteria named Vibro cholerae contains 2 chromosomes
Besides the chromosomal DNA many bacteria may also
carry extra chromosomal genetic elements in the form of
small, circular and closed DNA molecules, called plasmids.
Histone like
Anchoring
Protein
Plasmids
Plasmids are circular DNA molecules that are distinct from
the bacterial genome.
Plasmids are able to do autonomous replication as they
contain their own Origin of Replication.
Some plasmids are present in many copies per cell.
Plasmids carry genes that are not essential for normal
functioning of the cell, that provide additional features to the
cell such as antibiotic resistance, pigment production etc.
Extra chromosomal elements –
Plasmids
Free Circular dsDNA-In Cytoplasm for several
generations
Replicate independently
Episome-integrated form
Not essential for life of bacteria
Number: up to 40/cell
contain 50-100 genes
There are many types of plasmids.
Based on function:
Fertility/F plasmid: contain tra gene: sex pili expression
Resistance/R plasmid
Col plasmid
Virulence plasmid
Metabolic plasmid
Central Dogma of Life
Mutation
Random, heritable variation caused by alteration in
nucleotide sequence of DNA
Frequency 10-2 -10-10/bacterium/division
CAUSES
Spontaneous
Induced (mutagen) –
Physical: UV
Chemical: alkylating agent
2-Amino Purine
Acridine dye Image: Tuckraider/iStock/Getty Images Plus
Genetic Transfer among
Bacteria
Vertical • Replication
(Passage of
Genetic Material)
• Transformation
Horizontal • Transduction
(Exchange of • Conjugation
Genetic Material)
Natural Gene Transfer
among bacteria
End of Bacterial Genetics…
Horizontal Gene transfer among
bacteria …….Continue
Reference :
Genetics – A Conceptual Approach by Benjamin A Pierce ( 7th
Edition)
Microbiology by Pelczar MJ, Chan ECS and Krieg NR(1993)
