(i) Bacteria that decompose and use oil as their source of energy are called as oil eating bacteria e.g., Pseudomonasputida, P.capacia etc. are efficient degraders created through genetic engineering. They need to be established in environment. They (“the oil-eating bacteria”) could digest about two- thirds of the hydrocarbons that would be found in a typical oil spill.
(ii) The term single cell protein (SCP) refers to biomass of dry cells of microorganisms such as yeast, bacteria, mushroom (fungi) and algae which grow on different carbon sources. The name “single cell protein” was used for the first time by the M.I.T. Professor Carol Wilson.
(iii) Jacob and Monod proposed the Operon concept of Gene Expression in bacteria.
(iv) Transposons : Transposons are sequences of DNA that can move around to different positions within the genome of a single cell. Transposons are called “Jumping genes”, and are examples of mobile genetic elements.
Two types of Transposons are possible :
• Retrotrahsposons and
• DNA transposons.
In this process, they may :
• cause mutations
• increase (or decrease) the amount of DNA in the genome.
(v) Peptidoglycans (mucopeptides, glycopeptides, mureins) are the structural elements of bacterial cell walls. Fungi possess cell walls made-up of chitin, polymer of glucosamine,
