Question

question 19 2 pts
___ (bacteria) and nanoarchaeum equitans (archaea) have the smallest genomes among parasitic prokaryotes.

Explanation:

Identify the biological context

The question asks for a specific bacterium that, along with the archaeon Nanoarchaeum equitans, possesses one of the smallest genomes among parasitic prokaryotes.

Analyze genome sizes of parasitic bacteria

Among parasitic bacteria, species belonging to the genus Mycoplasma (specifically Mycoplasma genitalium) are widely recognized in microbiology textbooks for having extremely small genomes (approximately 580 kilobase pairs). Another notable candidate with an extremely reduced genome is Carsonella ruddii (an endosymbiont), but Mycoplasma genitalium is the classic textbook example of a free-living/parasitic bacterium with the smallest genome.

Confirm the standard textbook match

In standard microbiology curricula, Mycoplasma genitalium (or simply Mycoplasma) is paired with Nanoarchaeum equitans when discussing minimal genome sizes in parasitic or symbiotic prokaryotes.

Answer:

<blank>Mycoplasma genitalium</blank> (Bacteria) and Nanoarchaeum equitans (Archaea) have the smallest genomes among parasitic prokaryotes.