What Is a Extra Ring of DNA in Bacteria?

Bacteria possess ringed DNA structures known as plasmids.
••• Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Bacteria are simple, single-celled organisms and are the most abundant type of life on Earth. A typical bacterial cell consists of a cell envelope, internal structures and external appendages. Unlike mammals and other eukaryotes, bacteria do not possess a nucleus; instead, the chromosomal DNA is found in a dense region of cytoplasm known as the nucleoid. Extra ring-shaped DNA is also found in some bacteria and these are known as plasmids (Ref 1,2).

Plasmid

A plasmid is a ring-shaped piece of DNA that is found within bacterial cells. Plasmids replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA found in the nucleoid but are always copied into next generation cells. Plasmids often contain genes that give bacteria genetic advantages such as antibiotic resistance. The genes within plasmids can be shared between bacterial cells in a process known as conjugation. It is this process that is partially responsible for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Related Articles

How do I Create a 7th Grade School Project of a Virus...
How Do Bacteria Reproduce?
What Are the Characteristics Common to All Bacteria?
Nucleic Acid Facts
The Types of Cells Which Lack a Membrane Bound Nucleus
What Is It Called When Bacteria Divide Into Two Cells?
Characteristics of Microorganisms
The Types of Cells That Lack a Membrane-Bound Nucleus
Characteristics of Salmonella Bacteria
What Is the Diploid Number?
What Types of Molecules Catalyze RNA Splicing?
What Are the Two Prokaryotic Kingdoms?
Comparing & Contrasting DNA Replication in Prokaryotes...
The Difference Between Genomic DNA & Plasmid DNA
How Do Scientists Construct Recombinant DNA Molecules?
Similarities Between Bacteria & Protists
How Does DNA & RNA Differ?
What Types of Bacteria Produce Endospores?
Four Major Types of Chromosomes

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!