Phylogenetics of Bacteria & Archaea

Flashcards for review of Phylogenetics of Bacteria & Archaea lecture notes.

Phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species or group of related species.

HGT

Horizontal Gene Transfer, the transfer of genes between organisms in a manner other than traditional reproduction.

Phylogenetic Tree

A branching diagram showing the inferred evolutionary relationships among various biological species based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics.

eDNA

Environmental DNA; genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples such as soil, seawater, snow or air rather than from an individual organism.

Proteobacteria

A major phylum of bacteria, including a wide variety of pathogens such as Escherichia, Salmonella, and Vibrio, and many others. Classes include Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta.

Actinobacteria

A phylum of bacteria, many of which are Gram-positive. They are widespread in nature, inhabiting soil, freshwater, and marine environments.

Firmicutes

A phylum of bacteria, mostly Gram-positive, known for their role in various fermentation processes and some are spore-forming.

Bacteroidetes

A phylum of Gram-negative bacteria commonly found in the human gut, playing a significant role in digestion.

Chlorobi

Green sulfur bacteria, anoxygenic photoautotrophs.

Cyanobacteria

Blue-green algae, oxygenic photoautotrophs, many fix nitrogen.

Chloroflexi

Green non-sulfur bacteria, anoxygenic photoheterotrophs.

Euryarchaeota

A phylum within Archaea, including all known methanogens, many halophiles and some thermophiles.

Halophiles

Extremophiles that live in conditions containing high salt concentrations.

Crenarchaeota

A phylum within Archaea, including many hyperthermophiles (heat loving).

Hyperthermophiles

Extremophiles that live in very hot conditions.

Epidemiology

The analysis of the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations.

Alpha Proteobacteria

Classes of proteobacteria that include species such as Rhizobium (nitrogen fixation) and Agrobacterium (plant tumors).

Beta Proteobacteria

Classes of proteobacteria that include species such as Neisseria (pathogens like N. gonorrhoeae) and Burkholderia (diverse metabolic capabilities).

Gamma Proteobacteria

Classes of proteobacteria that include species such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, and Vibrio (cholera).

Delta Proteobacteria

Classes of proteobacteria that include species such as Bdellovibrio (predatory bacteria) and Myxobacteria (social bacteria with complex life cycles).