Microbial Diversity Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key concepts and terminology related to microbial diversity.

Phylogenetic Tree

A diagram that represents the evolutionary relationships among various biological species.

Molecular Clock

A method for estimating the time of evolutionary divergences based on the number of genetic mutations accumulated in DNA.

Vertical Gene Transfer

The transmission of an entire genome from parent to offspring.

Horizontal Gene Transfer

The acquisition of a piece of DNA from another cell, leading to genetic diversity.

Informational Genes

Genes that encode products essential for transcription and translation.

Operational Genes

Genes that encode products governing metabolism, stress response, and pathogenicity.

Pangenome

The full compliment of genes present in a clade.

Proteobacteria

A major group of bacteria known for their diverse metabolic capabilities and significant role as human pathogens.

Thermophiles

Microorganisms that thrive at relatively high temperatures.

Euryarchaeota

A phylum of Archaea that includes methanogens and extreme halophiles.

DPANN

A superphylum of archaea consisting of ultrasmall cells that usually require a symbiont for basic metabolic processes.

Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR)

Microbial taxa that are poorly characterized and often have limited representation in culture.

molecular clock is based on

gene fin is the same across the board, same generation time, and average mutation rate is constant

SSU rRNA %

97-98%

average nucleotide identity %

over 95%

DNA hybridization %

over 70%

Gram +

firmicutes/bacillota,lactococcus,staph/streptococcus, tenericutes/mycosplasma, actinobacteria

Gram -

acidobacteria, bacteroidetes,chlorobiota, spirochetes

Cyanobacteria

single, filamentous, and colonial structures

thermophiles

aquificia/deinococcus

TACK

marine and geothermal hyperthermophiles, reduces and oxides sulfur