• MICROBIAL GENETICS

• GENETICS
• includes the study of what genes are, how they carry information, how they are replicated and passed to
subsequent generations of cells or passed between organisms, and how the expression of their information
within an organism determines the particular characteristics of that organism.
• Genome- genetic information in a cell
• Chromosomes- contains DNA, physically carries hereditary information
• Genes- DNA segments that code for functional products
• GENOTYPE AND PHENOTYPE
• Genotype
• Genetic make up of an organism
• Represents genetic constitution and organism’s potential properties
• Potential properties
• Phenotype
• Expression of genotype
• Actual, expressed properties
• Collection of proteins
• Ex: ability to perform a chemical reaction, cell structures
• GENOTYPE AND PHENOTYPE
• Most proteins in microbes are either enzymatic or structural
• Some genes are may not be expressed as phenotype- different influences which dictated
what genes are activated or inhibited
• Changes in phenotype- variabilities among organisms
• Genotype- may also be altered by some influences
• MUTATION
• Modification of nucleotide sequences in the gene
• Nucleotide may be deleted, inserted, substituted- results to different nucleotide
sequence- result to coding of different protein
• Permanent change in genotype
• RECOMBINATION PROCESS
• Incorporation of new genes into the recipient chromosome
• New genes from donor is transferred into a recipient’s chromosome
• Breakage of recipient chromosome to integrate the new genes

• Microorganisms transmit characteristics to their offspring in the same way

• Microbes are genetically simpler, contain fewer genes
• Bacterial genetics has contributed to the understanding of the genetics of all organisms

• Bacteria as scientific models:

• Short generation time
• Propagate to large population from a single cell
• Faster gene transfer mechanisms
• Genetic engineering