plasmid

From Aaushi
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Introduction

A genetic particle separate from the chromosome of the host cell (generally bacterial). It can replicate & generally confers some survival advantage to the host cell; however, it is not essential to the host cell. It may fit the definition of organism, because it can replicate to preserve its genetic information.

More general terms

More specific terms

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999