What were the overreaching questions the researchers were asking?
The overarching question posed by researchers was, “Is there a prevalence of fitness conflict between microbes and the host in a mutualistic relationship?” Also, do the weaker microbes turn into cheaters to increase their fitness at the expense of their hosts?
What were the overall conclusions drawn from the results?
The overall conclusion was that microbes like independent E. metiloti, which had a similar evolutionary history, host-adapted to the host’s genotype as expected; however, the microbes that had mutated did not respond well to the host. So, it was concluded that symbiosis depends on the genotype of the host and the bacteria’s ability to adapt.
Describe the first two sets of experiments in the paper. Detail the question they were asking, the experiment they ran, and the result they found.
The first experiment included the sequencing and cross-inoculation of the rhizobia after their evolution. These were then introduced to five different hosts, and their behaviour was observed. After a year-long evolution, these derived rhizobia were isolated and compared with their ancestors. It was then observed that the partner force was not important, but the selective force was. In the second experiment, variation was introduced, and the derived rhizobia was observed further. This experiment showed that the evolved rhizobia made a stronger bond with their hosts than their ancestors.
Describe the remaining experiments in the paper. Detail the questions they were asking. The experiment they ran and the results they found.
The experiment observed the behaviour of the host when the microbe was introduced. It was then observed that the hosts chose the strongest rhizobia to form a symbiosis with and ignored the weaker ones. This made it clear that the hosts used the selective method when choosing bacteria.
What are future questions that can be asked from the article?
The question that can be asked from this paper is what happens to the weaker bacteria that are rejected by the hosts? Do they become parasitic, or do they die out?
No Scientific paper is perfect. Learning to read scientific articles is critical to being a science major. Name at least one thing in the experimental process with which they made a mistake or one thing you believe they did not do properly in their experiments or their data and conclusion.
The paper discussed the weaker bacteria in the beginning, implying that the research will also focus on their behaviour; however, the research was more focused on the stronger bacteria, leaving many aspects unanswered.
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