
Why are plasmids of particular concern to humans?
Why are plasmids of particular concern to humans? For example, metabolic plasmids carry genes enabling bacteria to break down specific substances, such as toxic chemicals; resistance plasmids carry genes enabling bacteria to resist the effects of antibiotics; and virulence plasmids carry genes that control how sick an infectious bacterium makes ...
What are plasmodesmata and why are they important?
Plasmodesmata: characteristics, structure and functions
- Content: The plasmodesms They are cytosolic connections that occur between adjacent plant cells, that is, they communicate the protoplasts (plasma membrane and cytosol) through the cell wall, forming a simplistic ...
- Characteristics of plasmodesmata. ...
- Structure. ...
- Primary plasmodesmata. ...
- Secondary plasmodesmata. ...
- Features. ...
- References. ...
Why are plastids important to protists?
Thus, the plastids of algal protists function like the chloroplasts of plants with respect to photosynthesis, and, when present, the mitochondria function as the site where molecules are broken down to release chemical energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Why are P&IDs important?
P & IDs play a key role in maintaining and modifying the process they describe, because it is important to demonstrate the physical sequence of equipment and systems , including how these systems connect.

What is the DNA of a bacterial cell?
The DNA of most bacteria is contained in a single circular molecule, called the bacterial chromosome. The chromosome, along with several proteins and RNA molecules, forms an irregularly shaped structure called the nucleoid. This sits in the cytoplasm of the bacterial cell. In addition to the chromosome, bacteria often contain plasmids – small ...
What are the features of a plasmid vector?
Key features of a typical plasmid vector are an origin of replication (to ensure the vector is copied within bacteria), a gene for antibiotic resistance (to ensure the vector is not lost by bacteria) and a set of recognition sites for restriction enzymes (to make it straightforward to insert foreign DNA into the vector).
How many copies of a plasmid can be made in one cell?
For this reason, plasmids can copy themselves independently of the bacterial chromosome, so there can be many copies of a plasmid – even hundreds – within one bacterial cell.
Why is it important to keep a plasmid around?
However, by protecting its bacterial host from stress-related death, a plasmid maximises its chances of being kept around.
Why are plasmids important?
Plasmids have been key to the development of molecular biotechnology. They act as delivery vehicles, or vectors, to introduce foreign DNA into bacteria. Using plasmids for DNA delivery began in the 1970s when DNA from other organisms was first ‘cut and pasted’ into specific sites within the plasmid DNA.
What happens if you lose a plasmid from a cell?
These plasmids are effectively holding their host bacterial cell hostage – if they are ever lost from the cell, they won’t be able to provide the antidote and the cell will die. Explore topics.
Which side of the plate does kanamycin resistance occur?
On the left-hand side of the plate, the bacteria lack the kanamycin resistance plasmid and have been unable to grow.
