Microbial Evolution and Communities

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of microbial evolution?

• Genetic drift

• Natural selection

• Gene transfer

• Mutation

Horizontal gene transfer in microorganisms primarily involves the transfer of genes between:

• Different species

• Different generations

• Different kingdoms

• Different cells of the same species

Which of the following is a common consequence of mutation in microbial genomes?

• No change in phenotype

• Enhanced metabolic functions

• Genetic variation

• Decreased virulence

Which of the following processes can lead to antibiotic resistance in bacteria?

• Gene mutation

• Horizontal gene transfer

• Both a and b

• Neither a nor b

What is the role of the "Fitness" concept in microbial evolution?

• It refers to the ability of microorganisms to reproduce in extreme environments.

• It refers to the ability of a microorganism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

• It refers to the growth rate of a microorganism in a lab setting.

• It refers to the genetic makeup of a microorganism.

Which of the following is an example of vertical gene transfer?

• Transformation

• Conjugation

• Transduction

• Replication during cell division

What type of mutation results in a change of a single amino acid in a protein?

• Silent mutation

• Missense mutation

• Nonsense mutation

• Frameshift mutation

In the context of microbial evolution, "adaptive radiation" refers to:

• The sudden emergence of a new pathogen.

• The diversification of a single ancestral species into many new forms in response to new environments.

• The resistance of microorganisms to all antibiotics.

• The genetic mutation that creates a new trait.

Which of the following best describes the concept of "genetic drift" in microbial populations?

• Selection of advantageous mutations

• Random changes in allele frequencies in small populations

• The loss of genetic material through mutation

• The movement of genes between populations

Which type of gene transfer involves the uptake of free DNA from the environment?

• Transformation

• Conjugation

• Transduction

• Replication