Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

8.1K
While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
8.1K
Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

44.3K
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.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
44.3K
Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes02:16

Comparing Mitochondrial, Chloroplast, and Prokaryotic Genomes

12.7K
The present-day mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes have retained some of the characteristics of their ancestral prokaryotes and also have acquired new attributes during their evolution within eukaryotic cells. Like prokaryotic genomes, mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes neither bind with histone-like proteins nor show complex packaging into chromosome-like structures, as observed in eukaryotes. Unlike mitotic cell divisions observed in eukaryotic cells, mitochondria and chloroplasts...
12.7K
Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization01:28

Prokaryotic Gene Structure and Organization

351
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...
351
Prokaryotic Cells01:51

Prokaryotic Cells

123.3K
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.
Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins....
123.3K
Three-Domain System of Life01:21

Three-Domain System of Life

157
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence analysis revealed three distinct groups of cells: eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaea. In 1978, Carl R. Woese proposed the concept of domains, a taxonomic level above kingdoms, to differentiate these groups. He suggested that archaea and bacteria, despite their similar appearance, represent separate domains. Domains differ in rRNA, membrane lipid structure, transfer RNA, and antibiotic sensitivity.In this classification, animals, plants, and fungi belong to the...
157

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genomic perplexity and the evolution of context-dependent function.

Molecular biology and evolution·2026
Same author

Classifying Convergences in the Light of Horizontal Gene Transfer: Epaktovars and Xenotypes.

Molecular biology and evolution·2025
Same author

Contingency, repeatability, and predictability in the evolution of a prokaryotic pangenome.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2023
Same author

Gene essentiality evolves across a pangenome.

Nature microbiology·2022
Same author

The role of public goods in planetary evolution.

Philosophical transactions. Series A, Mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences·2017
Same author

Function-related replacement of bacterial siderophore pathways.

The ISME journal·2017

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations
08:03

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

2.3K

Prokaryotic Pangenomes Act as Evolving Ecosystems.

James O McInerney1

  • 1School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.

Molecular Biology and Evolution
|October 26, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Intra-genomic selective pressures significantly influence prokaryotic genome composition and pangenome evolution. This genetic background is as crucial as environmental adaptation for understanding evolutionary biology.

Keywords:
ecosystempangenomesprokaryote

More Related Videos

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays
14:06

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays

Published on: November 12, 2012

46.5K
Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
06:03

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

14.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations
08:03

Heuristic Mining of Hierarchical Genotypes and Accessory Genome Loci in Bacterial Populations

Published on: December 7, 2021

2.3K
Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays
14:06

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays

Published on: November 12, 2012

46.5K
Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat
06:03

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

14.5K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genomics
  • Microbial evolution

Background:

  • Adaptation to the local environment is a primary focus in evolutionary biology.
  • Genome composition is also significantly shaped by internal genetic factors.
  • Prokaryotic pangenomes are complex structures influenced by multiple evolutionary forces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the substantial role of intra-genomic selective pressures in prokaryotic genome evolution.
  • To argue for the inclusion of genetic background as a key driver alongside environmental factors.
  • To emphasize the impact of these pressures on the structure and dynamics of prokaryotic pangenomes.

Main Methods:

  • This is a perspective piece, synthesizing existing evidence.
  • It involves a review of current literature on prokaryotic genomics and evolution.
  • Theoretical arguments are presented based on established biological principles.

Main Results:

  • Growing evidence supports intra-genomic selection as a major force in prokaryotic genome composition.
  • Genetic background significantly impacts the origin and maintenance of prokaryotic pangenomes.
  • These internal pressures are critical for understanding genome structuring.

Conclusions:

  • Intra-genomic selective pressures are a fundamental, yet often underappreciated, driver of prokaryotic genome evolution.
  • Considering both external and internal selective forces provides a more complete picture of adaptation.
  • Future research should further investigate these pressures to fully elucidate prokaryotic genome dynamics.