Concept explainers
Consider the fact that the use of 16S rRNA sequencing as a taxonomic and phylogenetic tool has resulted in tripling the number of bacterial phyla. Why has the advent of this genetic technique expanded the currently accepted number of microbial phyla?
The taxonomy is the study of classification and naming the organism based on their shared characteristic features. Phylogeny is the study of evolutionary changes occurs in an organism or group of organism. Gene sequencing is a genetic tool or phylogenetic tool that expands the number of microbial phyla.
Explanation of Solution
Prokaryotes have 70S ribosome which is divided into 30S and 40S subunits. 30S subunit consists of 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA). The gene that codes for 16S rRNA is called 16S rRNA gene and the nucleotide sequencing of this gene is called 16S rRNA sequencing. It is used in reconstructing microbial phyla since the rate of evolution at this region is very slow. This tool allows the discovery of many new organisms.
Earlier to this genetic tool classification was made on the basis of morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of the organism. Distinguishing phyla based on these characteristic features do not give much resolution as 16S rRNA.
16S rRNA sequencing tool overcomes some problems with conventional classification method. One such problem is culturing the microbes in the lab. Some microbes cannot be cultured or very difficult to culture in a lab. These microbes also can be identified using 16S rRNA sequencing.
Therefore, the advent of this genetic technique currently expanded the number of microbial phyla.
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Chapter 19 Solutions
Prescott's Microbiology
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