Identify the function of plasmid DNA.

🔑Key Points:
Plasmid
The plasmid is an extrachromosomal genetic element used in genetic engineering that occurs in many bacterial strains.
Plasmids are circular deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules that replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome.
They are not essential for the bacterium but may confer a selective advantage.
One class of plasmids, carcinogenic (or Col ) factors, determines the production of proteins called colicins, which have antibiotic activity and can kill other bacteria.
Another class of plasmids, R factors, confers upon bacteria resistance to antibiotics.
Some Col factors and R factors can transfer themselves from one cell to another and thus are capable of spreading rapidly through a bacterial population.
A plasmid that is attached to the cell membrane or integrated into the bacterial chromosome is called an episome.

🔴Additional Information:
DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes.
They are present in the nucleus of each cell.
Each chromosome is made up of DNA tightly coiled around many times around proteins called histones that support its structure.
Chromosomes are made up of a DNA and protein complex found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.
It is made of proteins and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
The DNA and proteins together form chromatin fibres, which gets further condensed into chromosomes.
This condensation or packaging of the DNA helps to accommodate long DNA molecules inside the nucleolus.