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The Ecology of Bacterial Genes and the Survival of the New
Author
Source
International Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-14, 14 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-07-31
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
14
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Much of the observed variation among closely related bacterial genomes is attributable to gains and losses of genes that are acquired horizontally as well as to gene duplications and larger amplifications.
The genomic flexibility that results from these mechanisms certainly contributes to the ability of bacteria to survive and adapt in varying environmental challenges.
However, the duplicability and transferability of individual genes imply that natural selection should operate, not only at the organismal level, but also at the level of the gene.
Genes can be considered semiautonomous entities that possess specific functional niches and evolutionary dynamics.
The evolution of bacterial genes should respond both to selective pressures that favor competition, mostly among orthologs or paralogs that may occupy the same functional niches, and cooperation, with the majority of other genes coexisting in a given genome.
The relative importance of either type of selection is likely to vary among different types of genes, based on the functional niches they cover and on the tightness of their association with specific organismal lineages.
The frequent availability of new functional niches caused by environmental changes and biotic evolution should enable the constant diversification of gene families and the survival of new lineages of genes.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Francino, M. Pilar. 2012. The Ecology of Bacterial Genes and the Survival of the New. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-14.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-468647
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Francino, M. Pilar. The Ecology of Bacterial Genes and the Survival of the New. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-14.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-468647
American Medical Association (AMA)
Francino, M. Pilar. The Ecology of Bacterial Genes and the Survival of the New. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-14.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-468647
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-468647