![Studying bacteria has lead to the relatively new science of genetic engineering.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/34/86834-003-6394E615.gif)
Microorganisms were generally ignored by the early geneticists because they are small in size and were thought to lack variable traits and the sexual reproduction necessary for a mixing of genes from different organisms. After it was discovered that microorganisms have many different physical and physiological characteristics that are amenable to study, they became objects of great interest to geneticists because of their small size and the fact that they reproduce much more rapidly than larger organisms. Bacteria became important model organisms in genetic analysis, and many discoveries of general interest in genetics arose from their study. Bacterial genetics is the centre of cloning technology.
Viral genetics is another key part of microbial genetics. The genetics of viruses that attack bacteria were the first to be elucidated. Since then, studies and findings of viral genetics have been applied to viruses pathogenic on plants and animals, including humans. Viruses are also used as vectors (agents that carry and introduce modified genetic material into an organism) in DNA technology.
The-initial-proposal-of-the-structure-of-DNA-by-JamesThe initial proposal of the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick, which was …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Sex-linked-inheritance-of-white-eyes-in-Drosophila-fliesSex-linked inheritance of white-eyes in Drosophila flies.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Steps-involved-in-the-engineering-of-a-recombinant-DNA-moleculeSteps involved in the engineering of a recombinant DNA molecule.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Dolly-the-sheep-was-successfully-cloned-in-1996-by-fusingDolly the sheep was successfully cloned in 1996 by fusing the nucleus from a mammary-gland cell of …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Mendels-law-of-independent-assortment-The-example-here-shows-aMendel’s law of independent assortment[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Mendels-law-of-segregation-Cross-of-a-purple-flowered-andMendel’s law of segregation[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Punnett-square-diagrams-are-used-to-predict-all-the-possiblePunnett square diagrams are used to predict all the possible gene combinations that could result …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
James Watson and Francis Crick revolutionized the study of genetics when they discovered the …[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Specific segments of DNA are amplified (copied) in a laboratory using polymerase chain reaction …[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Studying bacteria has lead to the relatively new science of genetic engineering.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Advantages of budding and grafting.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
Mendel’s discovery of the fundamental laws governing the science of genetics.[Credits : Acquired from Vast Video]
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