The microbial genetics as well as the molecular biology specifically and predominantly focus upon the very nature of ‘genetic information’.
MICROBIAL
GENETICS AND VARIATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The microbial genetics as well as the molecular biology specifically and
predominantly focus upon the very nature of ‘genetic information’. Besides, it invariably modulates the precise
development and function of various cells and organisms. In fact, the
application of microorganisms has been enormously useful in mustering a
definitely better and exceptionally vivid in-depth understanding of the actual
mechanism of ‘gene function’.
Importantly,
it has been adequately observed that practically most of the ‘microbial traits’ are either
strategically controlled or logically influenced due to heredity. In true sense, the inherited
traits of microorganisms essentially
comprise of the following cardinal aspects :
·
shape and structural features i.e., morphology,
·
biochemical reactions i.e., metabolism,
·
ability to move or behave in different manners, and
·
ability to interact with other microorganisms —
thereby causing human ailment.
In a
rather broader perspective one may consider that the individual organisms prominently
do transmit these characteristic features directly to their offspring via genes,
that are nothing but the hereditary materials (DNA) which essentially possess
relevant information(s) that precisely determines these typical characteristic
features.
It has
been amply proved and duly established that almost all ‘living organisms’ prominently find it rather advantageous to share
the hereditary materials derived from a ‘genetic
pool’. However, under the influence of an effective environmental change,
the microorganisms that critically possess such ‘genes’ which are proved to be advantageous under these new
conditions* shall definitely exhibit a better chance (scope) of reproduction
thereby enhancing their actual numbers in the overall population.
Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms usually exhibit different types of
reproductive means, such as :
Eukaryotic Organisms —
invariably make use of ‘sexual
reproduction’ having its distinctly improved
survival value vis-a-vis its sharing
capacity with respect to this general ‘gene
pool’.
Prokaryotic Organisms — usually
do not have the capacity for sexual reproduction as such. Thus, they essentially acquire other mechanisms so as to avoid the
‘genetic uniformity’, which could
prove even ‘fatal’ in the microbial
species when certain experimental parameters, namely : development of an
antibiotic.
Importantly,
in the recent past the ‘microbial
geneticists’ do play a vital and an important role in the ever developing
field of ‘applied microbiology’
which gives rise to the production of altogether ‘newer microbial strains’ that predominantly possess remarkably
higher efficiency in the syntheses of medicinally
and commercially useful end products.
Salient Features : The salient features of the ‘microbial genetics’ are as enumerated
under :
(1) Genetic Techniques are
largely employed to test such substances that have the ability to cause neoplasm (cancer).
(2) Genetic Engineering is the
most recent outcome of the ‘microbial
genetics’ and ‘molecular biology’ that
has enormously contributed to various dynamic scientific studies viz., microbiology, biology, and medicine.
(3) Meticulously
‘engineered microorganisms’ are
invariably utilized to produce a plethora of extremely useful ‘life-saving drugs’, for instance : hormones, antibiotics, vaccines, and a
host of other drugs.
(4) ‘New Genes’ may be strategically inserted
into the animal and plant species :
Development of wheat and corn
nitrogen-fixation genes so that they may not absolutely require nitrogen
fertilizers viz., urea.
The
earlier investigative studies by Beadle and Tatum, to make use of
microorganisms e.g., bread mold Neurospora, provided sufficient vital
clues with respect to the ‘genetic
control and influence of the
cellular functions’. Subsequently,
bacteria and viruses have
actually played an important and major
role to substantiate and elucidate further the various intricating
mechansims of the genetic control.
The various cardinal advantages
in employing the ‘microorganisms’ for
an elaborative genetic studies are
as detailed below :
(1) Fast
rate of growth e.g., E. coli may
duplicate in 20 minutes at 37° C,
(2) Greater
ease with which relatively large populations of microbes may be handled in a
laboratory e.g., a single sterile
petri-dish may hold upto 200–300 colonies,
(3) Relatively
much simpler ‘growth media’ for the
microbes are needed, and
(4) Much
simpler features of the ‘genetic
material’ required.
The
present subject matter in this particular chapter shall be treated under the
following two major heads :
(a) Microbial
Genetics, and
(b) Microbial
Variations.
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