Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB20058: Microbial genetics |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| ES 20%, EX 80% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| While taking this unit you must take BB20023 |
| Description:
| Aims: To provide an overview of microbial genetic systems and to relate the genetics of microorganisms to their wider biological role. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * provide a critical explanation of the molecular basis and types of recombination; * give an account of genome architecture and evolution; * describe and explain gene transfer mechanisms including sexual and asexual systems in eukaryotes and horizontal (lateral) systems (conjugation, plasmids, transduction and transformation) in prokaryotes; * explain the evolution of endosymbionts and mitochondria; * describe the mechanism and implications of transposition. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information technology T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: Bacterial genomes; DNA replication, mutation and repair; transcription and translation; the mechanisms and consequences of sex in bacteria; population genetics of bacterial pathogens and endosymbionts. Archaea: chromosomes; genome organisation; transcription and translation; horizontal gene transfer; plasmids & phage. Mendelian genetics; fungal genetical systems: ploidy, sex and parasex, heterokaryosis; recombination: models and molecules; mating types; cell type determination and switching; genetics of filamentous fungi; physical mapping; fungal structural genomics; comparative fungal genomics; whole genome duplication; functional genomics; mitochondrial genetics. |