What: "Now that we know the complete DNA sequences of hundreds of different bacteria, we can see that nearly all these diverse functions are carried out by "accessory genes". Bacteria are like computers: they have a "basic genome" that keeps the system running and is much the same in all bacteria, rather like the hardware and operating system of a computer. Then there are sets of accessory genes that provide special adaptations, and over time each bacterium acquires a unique collection of these by swapping with other bacteria, just as computers accumulate software packages and data."

Writer: Professor Peter PW Young

LCC:

Where: Reference Link Has Evaporated

Date: Oct 25 2013 5:13 PM