Plasmid
any of the small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that can be used as a vector
A plasmid is a small, circular DNA molecule that is separate from the chromosomal DNA in a bacterial cell. Plasmids can replicate autonomously and carry their own genes, which may provide their bacterial hosts with advantages such as antibiotic resistance, the ability to metabolize certain compounds, or the ability to produce virulence factors.
Plasmids are often used in molecular biology as tools for genetic engineering. Researchers can introduce a desired gene into a plasmid, which can then be introduced into a bacterial or other host cell. This allows the gene to be expressed in the host cell and studied or used to produce a particular protein.
Plasmids can also be transferred between bacteria through various mechanisms, including conjugation (direct cell-to-cell transfer), transformation (uptake of extracellular DNA), and transduction (transfer by bacteriophages). This horizontal gene transfer can contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance or virulence factors among bacterial populations.
Overall, plasmids serve as useful tools and a fascinating area of study for scientists interested in bacterial genetics and evolution.
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