Plasmid

Plasmid: extrachromosomal carrier of heredity in bacteria

A plasmid is a small DNA molecule that exists inside a bacterial cell in addition to the main chromosome. Plasmids can carry various genes that can provide bacteria with various advantages, such as resistance to antibiotics, the ability to synthesize certain molecules, or protection against viruses.

Plasmids were first discovered in bacteria in the 1950s and have since become a major focus of research in microbiology and genetics. Most plasmids have a ring structure and are found inside the cell as independent molecules.

One of the most well-known types of plasmids are replicon plasmids. These plasmids have a special gene that encodes a protein necessary for their replication. Thus, replicon plasmids can independently replicate within a bacterial cell and be transferred from one cell to another.

Plasmids can also be used in biotechnology to produce various proteins and molecules such as insulin and growth hormones. To do this, plasmids are modified so that they contain the desired genes, which can then be expressed in the bacterial cell.

However, plasmids may also play an important role in the spread of genes associated with antibiotic resistance. Some plasmids contain genes that encode proteins that protect bacteria from antibiotics. When bacteria pass on these plasmids to other bacteria, they can also pass on genes associated with antibiotic resistance, which can lead to bacterial infections that are difficult to treat.

Fortunately, scientists are continually researching plasmids and their role in bacterial genetics, which is helping to develop new treatments for infections and prevent the spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, plasmids continue to be one of the most interesting objects of research in microbiology and genetics.

Plasma (plasmid) is the general name for extrachromosomal hereditary information in bacteria. It may contain genes that determine resistance to antibiotics, viruses or other bacteria. Plasmas can be transferred from one bacterium to another through conjugation, which allows the bacteria to exchange genetic information. Plasmids can also be used for genetic modification of plants and animals.