List as many characteristics of Microbial Populations as you can think of. How does this differ from those of Microbial Communities?
Characteristics of Microbial Populations –
- individuals of one species in one space and time
- measured based on size, density, and genetic diversity, which can change over time at the population level (evolution)
- populations can be genetically diverse compared to others of the same species in different spaces and or times (genetic drift, gene flow)
- one species – all individual have the same metabolism, abiotic requirements, and niche
- influenced by availability in the environment and predators
- fitness in the population varies by individual, individuals in a microbial population are able to share genetic information vertically and horizontally
- populations make up communities
Characteristics of a Microbial Community –
- all populations of different species in one space at one time
- measurements are richness/diversity, productivity, and biomass
- many interactions between the populations of species, have different metabolisms, can form symbiotic relationships
- stability determined by ability of populations to adapt to new roles if necessary
- influenced by relationships between populations – interactions can change over time (predator-prey, co-evolution)
- able to utilize more/all nutrients in an environment due to species richness unlike in a population
- microbial communities are able to share genetic information using HGT
- communities make up ecosystems
