BIO 325 Lecture 2: Bacterial Genetics
Bacterial Genetics
• Why use bacteria?
o Small size – saves space
o Rapid growth – saves time
o Very large numbers
o Simple genome – molecular genetics often deals with very rare events, which
can only be studied in large populations
o Haploid – mutations not hidden, does not require several crosses and several
generations to uncover recessive mutations
o Easier to relate a pheotype to its ioheial asis
o Clonal – can get grams or kgs of cells of the same genotype and phenotype,
making direct biochemical studies possible
o Others – inexpensive, can be frozen, humane
• Culturing Bacteria
o Liquid culture
o Agar plate culture
• Rich media – for very rapid growth
o Complex, undefined
o Tryptone (protein digest)
o Salts, Water
• Minimal Media – for analysis and selection
o Simple, defined
o Salts (NH4+, carbon, energy source), water
Bacterial Phenotypes
• Drug resistance, phage resistance
o Strs (wildtype) – sensitive to antibiotic
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