Tree of LifeProkaryotes and Eukaryotes.ppt

Tree of Life:Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Biology/Env S 204 Spring 2009 Tree of Life: The Big Picture The deepest divisions of life are very old The ancestors of all current diversity were single-celled and prokaryotic Prokaryotes had evolved by 3.5 billion years ago and ruled the planet for about 2 billion years Eukaryotes appeared about 1.25 billion years ago Tree of Life: The Big Picture Tree of Life: The Big Picture Prokaryotes One-celled, no compartments within the cell (no nucleus) Genetic material in a single, circular chromosome Therefore only 1 copy of each gene per bacterium A typical bacterium has 1,000-2,000 genes Eukaryotes One-celled or many-celled, with compartments (e.g., a nucleus is present) Genetic material in two to many linear, separate chromosomes in the nucleus Normally two copies of each gene present in an individual in part of the life cycle A eukaryote has about 50,000 genes on average Much less metabolic diversity Tree of Life: Microorganisms Microorganisms are microscopic in size; include all prokaryotes (bacteria, archeans) and the single-celled eukaryotes (most protistans, some fungi, and some plants) as well as viruses. TOL: Viruses Debate over whether viruses are living organisms or not Some argue that they are pieces of genomes and therefore non-living biological entities Others argue that viruses are degenerate lineages of bacteria living as obligate parasites TOL: Viruses But viruses are functional biological units (protein coat + genetic material) They: Have genetic material Replicate (but not independently) Evolve Occupy specific ecological niches Exhibit variability TOL: Viruses TOL: Prokaryotes Two lineages: Bacteria and Archaea Both are ancient Most primitive members of each group are thermophiles (heat-lovers) suggesting that the common ancestor was also thermophilic Differ mainly in membrane and cell wall structure, genes controlling protein manufacture TOL: Prokaryotes Great metabolic diversity Extremely important