Brown BIOL1220:Notebook/SynBio in Theory and Practice/Bacterial Basics: Difference between revisions

From OpenWetWare
Jump to navigationJump to search
(New page: ==Bacterial Basics== ===Bacteria Structure=== Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms. They are surrounded by a firm cell wall that helps maintain their structure. Bacteria have no nucleus; th...)
(No difference)

Revision as of 14:46, 18 February 2009

Bacterial Basics

Bacteria Structure

Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms. They are surrounded by a firm cell wall that helps maintain their structure. Bacteria have no nucleus; their DNA is contained in a plasmid, a ring of DNA. Bacteria reproduce asexually.

Different Forms of DNA Transfer

  • Transformation (discussed further below)
  • Transduction
  • Conjugation

Bacterial Transformation

Bacterial Transformation is the process by which bacteria uptakes DNA from the media (liquid) surrounding it. The DNA can be from cells from the same species or from different species. Once taken up by bacteria, the DNA will integrate into the bacteria’s chromosome. As seen in the diagram at the right, the DNA binding complex that the free DNA passes through is contained within the bacteria’s cell wall.