Question
Biology Question on biological classification
What is a plasmid?
A
Bacterial, linear, dsDNA
B
Extrachromosomal linear RNA
C
Extrachromosomal circular dsDNA
D
Autonomously replicating circular RNA
Answer
Extrachromosomal circular dsDNA
Explanation
Solution
Plasmid is a structure (loop) in bacterial cells consisting of DNA that can exist and replicate independently of the chromosome. These are extrachromosomal circular double stranded DNA (dsDNA) which provide genetic instructions for certain cell activities (e.g. resistance to antibiotic drugs). They can be transferred from cell to cell in a bacterial colony. Plasmids are widely used as vectors to produce recombinant DNA for gene cloning.