Question

Both F factor (a plasmid) and bacteriophages can be viewed as mobile genetic parasites. Describe some similarities between these different genetic elements. What do these similarities suggest about the evolutionary history of plasmids and bacteriophages?

Answer 1

The bacterial chromosome is a circular molecule of DNA that function as a self replicating genetic element (replicon). extrachromosomal genetic elements such as plasmid and bacteriophages are nonessential replicons which often determine  resistance to antimicrobial agents, production of virulence factors, or other functions.

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN F- FACTOR AND BACTERIOPHAGE

- Both are related to bacterium

- Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and phage associated virulence factors. MGEs are segments of DNA that encode enzyme and other proteins which facilitate the movement of genetic material between bacterial chromosomes

- MGEs can change places on a chromosome, and be exchanged between chomosomes, between bacteria, and even between species

- Plasmid can integrate directly into the chromosome, as well as phage can integrate its DNA to a bacterial chromosome

- Antibiotic resistence is often spread via MGEs, which tend to code for genes providing resistence against multiple antibiotics

- Both plasmid and phage DNA are circular in nature

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF PHAGE AND PLASMID

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