Evolutionary individuality of bacterial plasmids

Salazar de Dios, Afra Nadyesda (2021) Evolutionary individuality of bacterial plasmids. Master's Research Project 2, Ecology and Evolution.

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Abstract

All living forms are organized in a nested hierarchy. Genes and other replicating nucleic acids formed genomes; Eukaryotic cells were formed by the union of free-living eubacteria and proto-eukaryotes. In all cases, previously autonomous entities came together to form new wholes higher in the biological ladder. This dynamic process is a transition in individuality. The objective of this report is to assess the evolutionary individuality of bacterial plasmids, autonomous replicating DNA entities enclosed within bacterial cells. Although plasmids are commonly understood as parts of the bacterial genome, there is a large body of research that considers plasmids are biological individuals in their own right. Here, I will first present key aspects of plasmid biology, exposing the diversity of molecules that the term ‘plasmid’ encompasses. Then, I’ll explain my working concept of evolutionary individuality. After that, I will review and evaluate the distinct views on plasmid individuality and argue that rather than being antagonistic, they are complementary. Finally, I will defend the claim that the current concept of plasmid involves both evolutionary individuals and genetic components of bacterial cells.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Research Project 2)
Supervisor name:	Weissing, F.J.
Degree programme:	Ecology and Evolution
Thesis type:	Master's Research Project 2
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	18 Aug 2021 08:37
Last Modified:	18 Aug 2021 08:37
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/25727

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