AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell’s chromosomal DNA. Plasmids naturally exist in bacterial cells, and they also occur in some eukaryotes. Often, the genes carried in plasmids provide bacteria with genetic advantages, such as antibiotic resistance.

Detailed explanation-2: -A plasmid is a small circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and some other microscopic organisms.

Detailed explanation-3: -The most commonly used vectors are plasmids (circular DNA molecules that originated from bacteria), viruses, and yeast cells. Plasmids are not a part of the main cellular genome, but they can carry genes that provide the host cell with useful properties, such as drug resistance, mating ability, and toxin production.

Detailed explanation-4: -Foreign DNA is inserted into a plasmid (or any cloning vector) by ligating the DNA into a complementary site in the plasmid. These sites are generated by digesting the DNA and vector with the same restriction enzyme. (The site for the restriction enzyme that is chosen should only be represented once in the plasmid.

Detailed explanation-5: -Plasmids with foreign DNA inserted into them are called recombinant DNA molecules because they contain new combinations of genetic material.