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That DNA created is then in contact with a host organism. Cloning is also an example of genetic engineering. [1] Since the discovery of microorganisms by Robert Hooke and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek during the period 1665-1885 [2] they have been used to study many processes and have had applications in various areas of study in genetics. For example ...
The endospores of certain types of (typically non-pathogenic) bacteria, such as Geobacillus stearothermophilus, are used as probes to verify that an autoclaved item has been rendered truly sterile: a small capsule containing the spores is put into the autoclave with the items; after the cycle the content of the capsule is cultured to check if ...
Genetic privacy concerns also arise in the context of criminal law because the government can sometimes overcome criminal suspects' genetic privacy interests and obtain their DNA sample. [5] Due to the shared nature of genetic information between family members, this raises privacy concerns of relatives as well. [6]
Bacterial genetics are subtly different from eukaryotic genetics, however bacteria still serve as a good model for animal genetic studies. One of the major distinctions between bacterial and eukaryotic genetics stems from the bacteria's lack of membrane-bound organelles (this is true of all prokaryotes.
They can also produce spores that can survive in harsh environments until conditions improve. Quorum sensing is a complex process that is still not fully understood. However, it is clear that it plays an important role in the life cycle of Myxococcus and other bacteria. [14] [15]
Log-log plot of the total number of annotated proteins in genomes submitted to GenBank as a function of genome size. Based on data from NCBI genome reports.. Bacteria possess a compact genome architecture distinct from eukaryotes in two important ways: bacteria show a strong correlation between genome size and number of functional genes in a genome, and those genes are structured into operons.
Scientists have also exploited their knowledge of microbes to produce biotechnologically important enzymes such as Taq polymerase, [27] reporter genes for use in other genetic systems and novel molecular biology techniques such as the yeast two-hybrid system. [28] Bacteria can be used for the industrial production of amino acids.
An early idea was that bacteria might contain membrane folds termed mesosomes, but these were later shown to be artifacts produced by the chemicals used to prepare the cells for electron microscopy. [7] Examples of bacteria containing intracellular membranes are phototrophs, nitrifying bacteria and methane-oxidising bacteria.