Microbiology Exam 3

Lethal Mutation

Mutations that lead to cell dysfunction or death

Wild Type

A microorganism that exhibits a natural , non mutated characteristic

Spontaneous Mutation

A random change in DNA from errors in replication that occur randomly

Recombination

An event where one bacterium donates DNA to another bacterium

Mutant Strain

An organism that bears a mutation

Recombinant

An organism that contains and expresses genes that originated in another organism

Mutation

Any change to the nucleotide sequence in the genome

Transformation

Bacterial cell accepts fragments of soluble DNA from surrounding environment

Competent

Cells that are capable of accepting genetic material through Transformation

Plasmids

Extrachromosomal DNA adept at moving between cells- allow transfer of DNA- Not necessary for survival

Conjugation

Genetic exchange where a genetic material is transferred from donor to cell via direct connection

Conjugation: Resistance factors

Have genes for resisting antibiotics, heavy metals , synthesizing virulence factors

Generalized Transduction

Random fragments of of host DNA are taken up by a phage during assembly

Induced Mutation

Result from exposure to known mutagens

Point Mutations

Small mutations that affect only a single base on a gene- addition, deletion, or substitution

Transduction

The process where a bacteriophage serves as a carrier of DNA from donor cell to recipient, must be same species

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Transfer of DNA that results in organisms acquiring new genes that did not come directly from parent organisms