micro 11.6

Genetic Diversity

The variation in genetic material among organisms within a population.

Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT)

The movement of genetic material between organisms without reproduction.

Vertical Gene Transfer

The transmission of genetic information from parent to offspring during reproduction.

Transformation

The uptake of free DNA from the environment by a bacterial cell.

Competent Cell

A bacterial cell capable of taking up DNA from its environment.

Natural Competence

The genetically programmed ability of certain bacteria to undergo transformation.

Artificial Competence

Laboratory-induced competence that allows bacteria to take up foreign DNA.

Heat Shock Transformation

A laboratory technique in which a sudden increase in temperature promotes DNA uptake by bacteria.

Electroporation

A laboratory method that uses an electrical pulse to create temporary pores in cell membranes for DNA uptake.

Conjugation

The transfer of DNA between bacterial cells through direct cell-to-cell contact.

Conjugation Pilus (Sex Pilus)

A hollow appendage that connects donor and recipient bacterial cells during conjugation.

F Plasmid (Fertility Factor)

A plasmid containing genes required for bacterial conjugation.

F⁺ Cell

A bacterial cell that possesses the F plasmid and acts as a DNA donor.

F⁻ Cell

A bacterial cell lacking the F plasmid that can receive DNA during conjugation.

Hfr Cell (High-Frequency Recombination Cell)

A bacterial cell with the F plasmid integrated into its chromosome, allowing transfer of chromosomal genes during conjugation.

F′ (F Prime) Plasmid

An F plasmid that has excised from the chromosome carrying some bacterial chromosomal genes.

Transduction

The transfer of bacterial DNA from one cell to another by a bacteriophage.

Bacteriophage (Phage)

A virus that infects bacterial cells.

Generalized Transduction

A form of transduction in which random fragments of bacterial DNA are transferred by a bacteriophage.

Specialized Transduction

A form of transduction in which only specific bacterial genes near a prophage insertion site are transferred.

Homologous Recombination

The exchange of DNA between similar or identical DNA sequences.

Recombinant Cell

A cell that contains DNA acquired from another organism.

Mobile Genetic Elements (MGEs)

DNA segments capable of moving within or between genomes.

Transposable Element (Transposon)

A mobile DNA sequence that can move to different locations within a genome.

Insertion Sequence (IS Element)

The simplest type of transposable element containing only genes needed for transposition.

Transposase

The enzyme that catalyzes the movement of transposable elements.

Resistance (R) Plasmid

A plasmid carrying genes that provide resistance to one or more antibiotics.

Virulence Factor

A molecule or trait that enables a microorganism to cause disease.

Pathogenicity Island

A large DNA segment acquired by horizontal gene transfer that contains multiple virulence genes.

Genetic Recombination

The formation of new combinations of genetic material through the exchange or acquisition of DNA.