Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Life Forms and Their Origins
- Chapter 2 Nucleic Acids
- Chapter 3 Proteins
- Chapter 4 Simple Chromosomes
- Chapter 5 Chromosomes of Eukarya
- Chapter 6 Genome Content
- Chapter 7 RNA Synthesis 1: Transcription
- Chapter 8 RNA Synthesis 2: Processing
- Chapter 9 Abundance of RNAs in Bacteria
- Chapter 10 Abundance of RNAs in Eukarya
- Chapter 11 Protein Synthesis
- Chapter 12 DNA Replication
- Chapter 13 Chromosome Replication
- Chapter 14 Molecular Events of Recombination
- Chapter 15 Micromutations
- Chapter 16 Repair of Altered DNA
- Chapter 17 Reproduction of Bacteria
- Chapter 18 Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria
- Chapter 19 Cell Cycles of Eukarya
- Chapter 20 Meiosis
- Chapter 21 Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Chapter 22 Life Cycles of Eukarya
- Chapter 23 Reproduction of Viruses
- Chapter 24 Genetic Processes in Development
- Chapter 25 Sex Determination and Dosage Compensation
- Chapter 26 Cancer
- Chapter 27 Cutting, Sorting, and Copying DNA
- Chapter 28 Genotyping by DNA Analysis
- Chapter 29 Genetically Engineered Organisms
- Chapter 30 Genomics
- Chapter 31 Behavior of Genes and Alleles
- Chapter 32 Probability and Statistics Toolkit
- Chapter 33 Genes, Environment, and Interactions
- Chapter 34 Locating Genes
- Chapter 35 Finding and Detecting Mutations
- Chapter 36 Cytoplasmic Inheritance
- Chapter 37 Genetic Variation in Populations
- Chapter 38 Mutation, Migration, and Genetic Drift
- Chapter 39 Natural Selection
- Chapter 40 Quantitative Genetics
- Chapter 41 Speciation
- Chapter 42 Molecular Evolution and Phylogeny
- Glossary
- Index
Chapter 17 - Reproduction of Bacteria
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1 Life Forms and Their Origins
- Chapter 2 Nucleic Acids
- Chapter 3 Proteins
- Chapter 4 Simple Chromosomes
- Chapter 5 Chromosomes of Eukarya
- Chapter 6 Genome Content
- Chapter 7 RNA Synthesis 1: Transcription
- Chapter 8 RNA Synthesis 2: Processing
- Chapter 9 Abundance of RNAs in Bacteria
- Chapter 10 Abundance of RNAs in Eukarya
- Chapter 11 Protein Synthesis
- Chapter 12 DNA Replication
- Chapter 13 Chromosome Replication
- Chapter 14 Molecular Events of Recombination
- Chapter 15 Micromutations
- Chapter 16 Repair of Altered DNA
- Chapter 17 Reproduction of Bacteria
- Chapter 18 Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacteria
- Chapter 19 Cell Cycles of Eukarya
- Chapter 20 Meiosis
- Chapter 21 Chromosomal Abnormalities
- Chapter 22 Life Cycles of Eukarya
- Chapter 23 Reproduction of Viruses
- Chapter 24 Genetic Processes in Development
- Chapter 25 Sex Determination and Dosage Compensation
- Chapter 26 Cancer
- Chapter 27 Cutting, Sorting, and Copying DNA
- Chapter 28 Genotyping by DNA Analysis
- Chapter 29 Genetically Engineered Organisms
- Chapter 30 Genomics
- Chapter 31 Behavior of Genes and Alleles
- Chapter 32 Probability and Statistics Toolkit
- Chapter 33 Genes, Environment, and Interactions
- Chapter 34 Locating Genes
- Chapter 35 Finding and Detecting Mutations
- Chapter 36 Cytoplasmic Inheritance
- Chapter 37 Genetic Variation in Populations
- Chapter 38 Mutation, Migration, and Genetic Drift
- Chapter 39 Natural Selection
- Chapter 40 Quantitative Genetics
- Chapter 41 Speciation
- Chapter 42 Molecular Evolution and Phylogeny
- Glossary
- Index
Summary
Overview
At each turn of a cell cycle, a bacterium or archaeon converts molecules taken from the environment into its own components and divides into two daughter cells. Each daughter cell receives a copy of the genome as well as copies of plasmids and nongenetic components. Mitochondria and chloroplasts proliferate by a similar division process, and, although they are organelles within eukarya, they reproduce rather than being made de novo by the cell. A population of genetically identical life forms made by this process is a clone.
Under poor or stressful environmental conditions, some bacteria form spores – specialized resting cells – by the process of sporulation. A few species of bacteria develop into multicellular organisms containing different cell types. Both sporulation and the formation of multicellular bacteria are simple examples of cell differentiation, which happens as a result of regulated changes in gene expression.
Bacterial Reproduction
Cell Cycle
The cell cycle of bacteria has two phases, C (chromosome copying) and D (division). On average, cells double in size between divisions. The cell cycle is tightly regulated and division is precise, ensuring that the chromosomes, cytoplasm, and cell envelope are synthesized at the right rate and are equally apportioned between the two daughter cells. During the C phase the chromosome(s) and plasmids replicate, and components of the cytoplasm such as ribosomes, tRNAs, and enzymes are approximately doubled in number. During the D phase, the cell envelope grows, daughter chromosomes segregate (move apart), a contractile ring pinches the cell in two, and a septum forms between the incipient daughter cells.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Fundamental Genetics , pp. 153 - 160Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2004