Alfajr College for Science and Technology (ACST)

Program of Medicine

BACTERIAL
GENETICS
DR OMEIMA HASHIM
MD CLINICAL MICRBIOLOGY
Prokaryotes are haploid, they contain
a single circular chromosome .

Chromosome
Single,long piece of circular
ds-DNA, Highly folded
Most bacteria ( 2000-4000 )gens.
NUCLEIC ACIDS

DNA ( deoxyribonucleic acid ) :

stores information for protein synthesis.

RNA ( ribonucleic acid ) :

transcription & translation of information
for protein synthesis.
 DNA RNA Protein
The molecular biology
GENETIC INFORMATION IN BACTERIA

Chromosome Carries properties like

virulence, pathogenicity &
resistance

Plasmid Extra-chromosomal
genetic material

Bacteriophage Virus infecting and

replicate in bacteria
PLASMIDS
CircularDNA molecules
Contain (5-100) gene

Not essential for surviving

replicate independently

Code for beneficial properties e.g. resistance to

antibiotics.

Important vectors in genetic engineering

TRANSPOSON (JUMPING GENES)

Plasmid
DNA segment that can
move between Chromosome
chromosome & plasmids

Insertion of transposon into Transposon

a functional gene would
destroy the function of the
gene
MECHANISMS OF GENETIC
VARIATIONS
 Mutation

 Transfer or exchange of genetic

material :
1. Transformation
2. Transduction
3. Conjugation
MUTATION
 Random, undirected heritable variation

 Caused by a change in the nucleotide

base sequence of the DNA
Can be:
Harmful, Lethal, Helpful or Silent

 Mutagens - Agents which can induce

mutation e.g. UV rays
TRANSFORMATION

Transfer of genetic information by free

DNA. i.e. by direct uptake from the
environment.
TRANSDUCTION
Transfer of a portion of the DNA
from one bacterium to another by a
bacteriophage.
CONJUGATION
A donor or male bacterium passes DNA
directly to a recipient or female
bacterium by a conjugation tube (sex
pili).
PROCESS OF CONJUGATION
 Transfer of host bacterial DNA by:
Transformation
Transduction
Conjugation
to the new bacterium lead to
new characteristics.
THANKS