Concept explainers
The genome of the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae consists of one double-stranded DNA molecule that contains 2220 kilobase pairs. If 85% of this DNA molecule is made up of the open reading frames of genes encoding proteins, and the average protein is 300 amino acids long, how many protein-encoding genes does Neisseria have? What kind of genetic information is present in the other 15% of the DNA?
To discuss:
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterial genome consists of one double stranded DNA and that contains 2220 Kbp. If 85% of this DNA sequence is made up of open reading frames of genes encoding proteins, and the average protein size is 300 amino acids long, Neisseria contains how many protein-encoding genes. Other 15% of the DNA sequence contains what kind of genetic information.
Concept introduction:
Open reading frames or ORF is a specific segment of DNA or RNA molecule and that part can be translated into a protein sequence. An open reading frame (ORF) (sequence of nucleotides) contains a start codon (AUG) followed by a stretch of various codons and end with a stop codon (UAA, UGA, or UAG). An ORF region in the mRNA is essential for its translation.
Explanation of Solution
The Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterial genome contains 2220 Kbp or 2,220,000 bp.
Each base pair size is 0.34 nm.
Therefore 2220 Kbp x 0.34 nm is 754, 800 nm.
The length of DNA is 754, 800 nm or 0.07548 cm
If 85% of the bacterial genome is composed of open reading frames, 1,887 Kbp of DNA sequence could be the open reading frames.
(
Average size of the protein is 300 amino acids. Each amino acid is encoded by three nucleotides (one codon). Therefore, 900 bp of DNA sequence in the open reading frame encode proteins.
Number of protein coding bacterial gene is 2097. The remaining 15 % of the bacterial DNA can be non-coding genes, which may regulate gene expression.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 4 Solutions
Brock Biology of Microorganisms (15th Edition)
- What are Clathrin coated vesicles and what is their function?arrow_forwardHow is a protein destined for the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), imported into the ER? Be concise.arrow_forwardFind out about the organisations and the movements aimed at the conservation of our natural resources. Eg Chipko movement and Greenpeace. Make a project report on such an organisation.arrow_forward
- What are biofertilizers and mention the significancearrow_forwardPCBs and River Otters: Otters in Washington State’s Green-Duwamish River have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their livers. PCBs can bind to the estrogen receptors in animals and disrupt the endocrine system of these otters. The PCBs seem to increase the estrogen to androgen ratio, skewing the ratio toward too much estrogen. How would increased estrogen affect the river otter population? Based on your reading of the materials in this unit, what factors can affect fertility in humans? Explain how each of the factors affecting human fertility that you described can disrupt the human endocrine system to affect reproduction.arrow_forwardOther than oil and alcohol, are there other liquids you could compare to water (that are liquid at room temperature)? How is water unique compared to these other liquids? What follow-up experiment would you like to do, and how would you relate it to your life?arrow_forward
- Selection of Traits What adaptations do scavengers have for locating and feeding on prey? What adaptations do predators have for capturing and consuming prey?arrow_forwardCompetition Between Species What natural processes limit populations from growing too large? What are some resources organisms can compete over in their natural habitat?arrow_forwardSpecies Interactions Explain how predators, prey and scavengers interact. Explain whether predators and scavengers are necessary or beneficial for an ecosystem.arrow_forward
- magine that you are conducting research on fruit type and seed dispersal. You submitted a paper to a peer-reviewed journal that addresses the factors that impact fruit type and seed dispersal mechanisms in plants of Central America. The editor of the journal communicates that your paper may be published if you make ‘minor revisions’ to the document. Describe two characteristics that you would expect in seeds that are dispersed by the wind. Contrast this with what you would expect for seeds that are gathered, buried or eaten by animals, and explain why they are different. (Editor’s note: Providing this information in your discussion will help readers to consider the significance of the research).arrow_forwardWhat is the difference between Uniporters, Symporters and Antiporters? Which of these are examples of active transport?arrow_forwardWhat are coupled transporters?arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...BiologyISBN:9781305117396Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningHuman Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStax