In: Biology
What are the main characteristics of bacterial plasmids? Discuss
the role of plasmids in bacterial infections and
survival.
The main characteristics of bacterial plasmids are: plasmids are extra-chromosomal, circular, self replicating double stranded DNA molecules. This small circular DNA contains a origin of replication from where replication is started.
The role of plasmids in bacterial infections and survival is, generally plasmids contains a gene that code for antibiotic resistance gene, for example- ampicillin, tetracycline etc. Plasmid doesn't help bacteria for its primary growth or reproduction, but they do help to survive in harsh conditions like antibiotic containing environment.
Plasmids also helps bacteria in horizontal gene transfer. By which they increase the genetic variation among the bacterial population.
Note- in genetic engineering program, plasmid are used as a vector to deliver a particular gene into the organism in order to gets a large amount protein of interest.
Also in gene gene therapy process plasmid is used to deliver the therapeutic gene into the patient.
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