Prescott's Microbiology
Prescott's Microbiology
11th Edition
ISBN: 9781260211887
Author: WILLEY, Sandman, Wood
Publisher: McGraw Hill
Question
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Chapter 3, Problem 1RC
Summary Introduction

To describe: The application of small subunit (SSU) rRNA analysis to the establishment of the three domain classification system proposed by Carl Woese.

Introduction: The tree of life includes three domains: Eukarya, Archaea, and bacteria. This tree of life is mainly based on the small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA) analysis. The SSU rRNA analysis is proposed by Carl Woese.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Explanation of Solution

The SSU-rRNA is the smallest RNA constituents present in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

  • The SSU-rRNA analysis is used to study the evolutionary relationship among various organisms.
  • The sequences of nucleotides in the genes that encode SSU rRNA from various organisms are aligned and pair-wise comparison made.
  • For every pair of SSU-rRNA gene sequences, the number of differences in the nucleotide sequences is calculated.
  • The final value serves as a measure of the evolutionary distance between the organisms (the greater differences counted, the more the evolutionary distance).
  • To construct the phylogenetic tree, the evolutionary distances from many comparisons are used by computer programs.
  • The distance from the tip of one branch to the tip of another is the evolutionary distance between the two organisms.
  • Hence, the three domains are classified based on their evolutionary relationship with the sufficient length of these SSU-rRNA gene sequences.

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Chapter 3 Solutions

Prescott's Microbiology

Ch. 3.4 - MICRO INQUIRY How does the outer membrane of the...Ch. 3.4 - MICRO INQUIRY Are these transporter proteins...Ch. 3.4 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply Describe in detail the...Ch. 3.4 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply When protoplasts and...Ch. 3.4 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply 4. The cell walls of most...Ch. 3.4 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply What two mechanisms allow...Ch. 3.5 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply What is the difference...Ch. 3.5 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply S-layers and some capsules...Ch. 3.6 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply Briefly describe the nature...Ch. 3.6 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply List the most common kinds...Ch. 3.6 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply do plasmids differ from...Ch. 3.6 - Prob. 4CCCh. 3.7 - MICRO INQUIRY How does flagellum growth compare to...Ch. 3.7 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply What are the functions of...Ch. 3.7 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply What terms are used to...Ch. 3.7 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply What is self-assembly? Why...Ch. 3.8 - Would this flagellum be found in a typical...Ch. 3.8 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply Describe the way many...Ch. 3.8 - Prob. 2CCCh. 3.8 - Prob. 3CCCh. 3.8 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply Suggest why chemotaxis is...Ch. 3.9 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply Describe the structure of...Ch. 3.9 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply Briefly describe endospore...Ch. 3.9 - Retrieve, Infer, Apply What features of the...Ch. 3 - Prob. 1RCCh. 3 - Prob. 2RCCh. 3 - Prob. 3RCCh. 3 - Propose a model for the assembly of a flagellum in...Ch. 3 - The peptidoglycan of bacteria has been compared...Ch. 3 - Why might a microbe have more than one uptake...Ch. 3 - Prob. 4ALCh. 3 - What would you expect to observe if you were able...Ch. 3 - Develop a hypothesis to explain why gas vacuoles...Ch. 3 - Prob. 7AL
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