#mini studies

[pepperandpencil]

[black-wolf-spirit]

Another small set of water colors. Quality was gobbled up by my shitty scanner.

[pepperandpencil]

more quick lunchtime studies

[pepperandpencil]

post work studies

[pepperandpencil]

lunchtime studies

[pepperandpencil]

[b-is-not-failing]

prokaryotic reproduction

this is a mini post on prokaryotic reproduction, specifically looking at how dna is transferred between prokaryotic organisms. questions and corrections welcome!

transformation

this is the first of three techniques of genetic recombination. it occurs when a cell picks up a bit of dna from nearby and uses it to replace some of the cell's alleles. this can change its genotype (genetic code) and its phenotype (physical structure/appearance).

transduction

in order for transduction to be carried out, the prokaryotes need assistants: bacteriophages! bacteriophages are viruses that target bacteria specifically. these viruses can take dna from one host and inject it into another, thus enable genetic recombination. this is usually an accident, as carrying dna from a bacterium can inhibit a virus from carrying its own reproductive material.

conjugation

conjugation occurs when prokaryotic cells join together in order to exchange dna from one to the other - this process is always one cell sending dna to another cell and not receiving any in return.

[b-is-not-failing]

endospores

hello! this is a mini post - the idea for these is for them to cover smaller concepts that i cut from main study posts for length/clarity/relevance. this one is going to cover endospores, and is in relation to my post on prokaryotes. please feel free to offer any corrections or questions!

so... what's an endospore?

development of an endospore is a survival technique done by some bacteria. it is a tough group of cells formed around a copy of the bacterium's chromosome, preserving its dna.

how and why do they form?

endospores are formed when bacteria are in less than ideal environments, i.e. when they lack nutrients or water. the bacterium creates a copy of its chromosome, then surrounds it with cells. it then stops its metabolism and ensures there is no water in the endospore. finally, the cell lyses, which means it disintegrates. this releases the endospore out into the world.

the idea is for the endospore to float around until more ideal conditions are met. they are, subsequently, very difficult to kill. they can also remain viable for centuries! it reminds me a bit of the thought that there could be ancient diseases and organisms lying dormant inside of glaciers, waiting to be thawed out.