7

CHAPTER

119

Microbial Genetics

“Who does she look like, mom or dad?” That’s probably one of the first few
questions everyone asks when hearing about a new arrival in the family. “Does
she have Aunt Jane’s eyes? Uncle Joe’s nose?” “How about Gramps’ sandy
hair?” These are some of the many noticeable characteristics that can be passed
down from family members.
What is really being asked is what genetic traits did the current generation
inherit from previous generations. Think of genetic traits as our computer
program; it provides us with instructions on how to do everything needed to
stay alive. Some instructions are passed along to the next generation while other
instructions are not.
If microorganisms could speak, they might also ask the same questions as
we do when a new offspring arrives, because microorganisms also pass along
genetic traits to new generations of their species. Those traits preprogram new
microorganisms on how to identify and process food, how to excrete waste prod-
ucts, and how to reproduce, as well as nearly everything the microorganism
needs to know to survive.
In this chapter you’ll learn how microorganisms inherit genetic traits from
previous generations of microorganisms.

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