MODULE 6: BACTERIA AND PLASMIDS

Prokaryotes

organisms made up of cells that lack a cell nucleus or any membrane bound oganelles such as bacteria

Plasmids

small, circular extrachromosomal DNA found in bacteria. Result in phenotypic changes required for survival

Genome

complete set of genetic information in an organism. Stored in a form of long DNA molecules called chromosomes.

what is dna short for?

deoxyribonucleic acid.

What is DNA?

DNA molecules are very long chains composed of repeating subunits known as nucleotides A,G,C and T. It is double stranded with complementary strands.

Features of a DNA Heliz

• 2 DNA Strands

• antiparallel

• strands

• supercoiled

pGLO Plasmid

recombinant pGLO plasmid. enable replication of the plasmid DNA.

Ampicillin

an antibiotic that kills bacteria

Transformed bacteria

survive/grow in presence of ampicillin/ These transformed bacteria can be selected from the non-transformed by growing in medium containing ampicillin.

Competent Cells

Cells capable of taking in foreign DNA. Unable to produce enzymes that metabolize arabinose.

Bacterial Transformation

Method to introduce plasmid DNA in bacteria:

1. Competent cell preparation

2. Transformation

3. Recovery

4. Plating