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GCSE Biology · key term
A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that can be used as a vector.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2, 4.6.2.4 · Paper 1, Paper 2
A small ring of DNA that may be present in a bacterial cell in addition to its main DNA loop.
Revise: Eukaryotes and ProkaryotesA bacterial cell may also contain one or more much smaller DNA rings called plasmids. Plasmids are additional to the main DNA loop and are not present in every bacterial cell.
A small ring of DNA carrying additional genes in some bacterial cells.
Do not state that every bacterium has plasmids. A bacterial cell may have one or more plasmids.
A plasmid is a small ring of bacterial DNA, not the bacterium's main DNA loop and not a nucleus.
Follow the gene all the way into the host cell. Joining it to a plasmid is not the same as delivering it into a bacterium.
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A small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria that can be used as a vector.
Specification 4.11 · Paper 1
Revise: Stages of Genetic EngineeringA bacterial plasmid—a small circle of DNA—is cut open with the same restriction enzyme.
Specification B1.1b, B6.2e · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A small, usually circular piece of DNA separate from the main chromosome, found in many bacteria.
Revise: Sub-cellular structuresMany bacteria also contain plasmids: small, separate loops of DNA carrying additional genes. Plasmids can pass between bacterial cells; for example, a plasmid may carry a gene for antibiotic resistance. Not every bacterium has plasmids.
A small, usually circular DNA molecule found in bacteria, separate from their main chromosome.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A small ring of DNA found in some prokaryotic cells, carrying additional genes that may give the cell an advantage.
Revise: Cells and MicroscopyA prokaryotic cell may also contain one or more plasmids. These are small rings of DNA separate from its main loop of DNA. Plasmids carry additional genes, and those genes can give the cell useful properties.
A small circular DNA molecule found naturally in bacteria; it can replicate independently and can be used as a vector.