How can a plasmid be described?
1 Answer
Plasmids can be described as a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan that can replicate independently of the chromosome.
Explanation:
wikipedia
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Plasmids are considered as replicons or units of DNA capable of replicating autonomously within a suitable host. They are most commonly found as small circular double stranded DNA molecules in bacteria.
They are small as compared to chromosomes and provide a mechanism for horizontal gene transfer within a population of microbes.
Plasmids carry at least one gene and these usually benefit the survival of the organism e.g. antibiotic resistance, or produce toxins, or allow the organism to utilise particular compounds when nutrients are scarce.
They are widely used in genetic engineering processes to manipulate genes.
