Copiotrophs versus Oligotrophs
Which group of bacteria is characterized by slow growth adapted to a low, steady supply of nutrients and typically features a streamlined genome?
Oligotrophs
What scientific discipline focuses on the complete DNA sequence, order, and organization of all genes across an organism's chromosome, rather than examining single genes?
Genomics
What term refers to the common set of essential housekeeping and species-defining genes shared by all members and strains of a given bacterial species?
The core genome
What specific gene is typically present in multiple copies within copiotroph genomes to enable rapid protein synthesis and high growth rates?
The 16S rRNA gene
What term describes the study of collective genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples, bypassing the need to isolate and culture microbes in the lab?
Environmental genomics (or metagenomics / ecogenomics)
What type of pangenome describes a species like Bacillus anthracis, where sequencing additional strains reveals very few or no new genes beyond the core genome?
A closed pangenome
How many base pairs is the extremely small median intergenic spacer size found in the streamlined genome of the marine oligotroph Pelagibacter ubique?
3 base pairs
Which two pathogenic bacteria with small genomes were completely sequenced by shotgun cloning in 1995, marking the true start of bacterial genomics?
Haemophilus influenzae and Mycoplasma genitalium
What type of pangenome is observed in organisms like Escherichia coli and Prochlorococcus, where new genes continue to be discovered as more isolates are sequenced?
An open pangenome