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Related Concept Videos

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Evolutionary Processes in Microbes01:26

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes

Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...
Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.Life is not fair. A deer grazing contentedly in a field can have her meal cut tragically short by a bolt of lightning. If the doomed doe is one of only three in the population, 1/3 of the population’s gene pool is lost. Random events like this can...
Hardy-Weinberg Principle01:49

Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Diploid organisms have two alleles of each gene, one from each parent, in their somatic cells. Therefore, each individual contributes two alleles to the gene pool of the population. The gene pool of a population is the sum of every allele of all genes within that population and has some degree of variation. Genetic variation is typically expressed as a relative frequency, which is the percentage of the total population that has a given allele, genotype or phenotype.In the early 20th century,...
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Populations under microevolutionary scrutiny: what will we gain?

Johannes Sikorski1

  • 1DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstrasse 7 B, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany. johannes.sikorski@dsmz.de

Archives of Microbiology
|August 2, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Studying natural bacterial populations, like Bacillus simplex, offers key insights into microevolution and prokaryotic biology. This approach aids in clarifying taxonomic challenges and understanding biodiversity

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Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
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Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

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Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
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Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview
29:13

Microbial Communities in Nature and Laboratory - Interview

Published on: May 28, 2007

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Prokaryotic Biology
  • Biodiversity

Background:

  • Biodiversity evolution and biological system functions are critical, interconnected biological questions.
  • Microevolution, the differentiation of individuals within populations, drives biodiversity evolution.
  • Two main approaches exist: experimental evolution and theory-based historical narratives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the advantages of studying natural bacterial populations for understanding prokaryotic biology.
  • To address and clarify current issues in bacterial taxonomy, particularly at the species level.
  • To propose Bacillus simplex from "Evolution Canyon" as a model system for these studies.

Main Methods:

  • Discussion and emphasis on the benefits of studying natural bacterial populations.
  • Examination of conceptual differences between experimental and historical evolutionary approaches.
  • Exemplification using Bacillus simplex from a natural "Evolution Canyon" environment.

Main Results:

  • Natural bacterial populations provide valuable insights into microevolutionary processes.
  • The study of natural systems is crucial for a deeper understanding of prokaryotic biology.
  • Taxonomic challenges at the species level require further discussion and clarification.

Conclusions:

  • Studying natural bacterial populations, exemplified by Bacillus simplex, is essential for advancing evolutionary biology and microbiology.
  • Clarifying taxonomic definitions is critical for accurate biodiversity studies.
  • Integrating insights from natural populations with experimental and historical approaches can deepen our understanding of life's evolution.