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Related Concept Videos

Prokaryotic Cells01:51

Prokaryotic Cells

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Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains—Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common organisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
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Prokaryotic Cells01:28

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Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains — Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common microorganisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
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Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells01:28

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Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells represent two fundamental types of cellular organization, differing significantly in structure, complexity, and function. These distinctions underpin the biological diversity seen across domains of life.Prokaryotic Cell CharacteristicsProkaryotic cells, exemplified by bacteria and archaea, are structurally simple and lack membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus. Their genetic material consists of a single, circular DNA molecule in the nucleoid region,...
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Prokaryotic genomes exhibit a streamlined organization of coding and non-coding regions essential for gene expression and protein synthesis. While coding regions contain the genetic instructions for proteins or functional RNAs, non-coding regions regulate the precise transcription and translation of these genes.Coding Regions: Proteins and RNAsThe primary coding regions, known as structural genes, include sequences transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and ultimately translated into...
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Nucleoid01:24

Nucleoid

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The nucleoid represents a structurally and functionally distinct region within prokaryotic cells, where the cell's DNA and associated proteins are housed. Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and the nucleoid facilitates the organization and accessibility of the genetic material within this constraint. The DNA in most bacteria and archaea exists as a single, circular, double-stranded molecule that is highly compacted through supercoiling and interactions with...
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Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

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The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
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Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus
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Functional Integration and Individuality in Prokaryotic Collective Organisations.

Guglielmo Militello1, Leonardo Bich2, Alvaro Moreno1

  • 1IAS-Research Centre for Life, Mind and Society, Department of Logic and Philosophy of Science, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Avenida de Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.

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Summary

This study explores functional integration in prokaryotic associations, comparing biofilms and endosymbiosis. It proposes a precise account of integration, crucial for understanding biological individuality in composite systems.

Keywords:
BiofilmControlEndosymbiosisEngulfmentEukaryogenesisRegulation

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Biological individuality theories rely on functional integration, but precise accounts are lacking, especially for composite systems.
  • Prokaryotic associations like biofilms and endosymbiosis offer models to study functional integration.
  • Existing critiques question biofilm individuality, highlighting a need to investigate integration obstacles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze organizational conditions and physiological mechanisms enabling integration in prokaryotic associations.
  • To compare organizational differences between biofilms and prokaryotic endosymbiosis and their integration types.
  • To provide a more precise account of functional integration using these case studies.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of organizational structures in biofilms and prokaryotic endosymbiosis.
  • Examination of physiological mechanisms contributing to functional integration.
  • Case study approach focusing on prokaryotic associations.

Main Results:

  • Prokaryotic endosymbiosis demonstrates potential for higher physiological integration via common boundaries and interlocked functions.
  • Biofilms face structural and functional obstacles that may limit their integration as biological units.
  • Endosymbiotic associations can evolve into integrated organelles under specific conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Functional integration in prokaryotic associations varies significantly based on organizational differences.
  • Endosymbiosis provides a clearer model for achieving integrated biological individuality than biofilms.
  • A refined understanding of functional integration is essential for defining biological individuality in complex systems.