Plasmid
Plasmid
Plasmid (/ˈplæzmɪd/; from the Greek word plasma, meaning "something molded") is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA. Plasmids naturally exist in bacterial cells, and they also occur in some eukaryotes.
Etymology
The term "plasmid" was first introduced by the American molecular biologist Joshua Lederberg in 1952. The word is derived from the Greek plasma, which means "something molded", and the suffix -id, which means "related to or derived from".
Function
Plasmids play a crucial role in bacterial genetics by providing a mechanism for horizontal gene transfer within a bacterial population. This has implications for traits such as antibiotic resistance, metal resistance, toxin production, and virulence.
Types of Plasmids
There are several types of plasmids, including Fertility Plasmids, Resistance Plasmids, Virulence Plasmids, and Degradative Plasmids. Each type has a unique function and role within the bacterial cell.
Related Terms
- DNA: The molecule that carries genetic information in all living organisms.
- Gene Transfer: The process by which genetic material is transferred from one organism to another.
- Antibiotic Resistance: The ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic.
- Virulence: The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of parasites as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host.
- Eukaryotes: Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Plasmid
- Wikipedia's article - Plasmid
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