Bacterial Plasmids

Question

Bacterial plasmids
A)are essential for growth
B)can provide genes that allow the bacteria to grow and thrive in the presence of potential toxins
C)are essential for cellular respiration
D)are artificially created by humans and are present in bacteria only because humans put them there
E)are essential for chromosome replication and binary fission

Accepted Answer

Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules that can carry genes that provide bacteria with advantages such as antibiotic resistance or the ability to metabolize certain compounds. These genes can help bacteria grow and thrive in the presence of potential toxins, making them important for bacterial survival and adaptation. However, plasmids are not essential for growth or for cellular respiration, and while some plasmids may be artificially created by humans, many occur naturally in bacterial populations.