LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Bacteria without the plasmid are less likely to survive and reproduce. Some plasmids take extreme measures to ensure that they are retained within bacteria. For example, some carry a gene that makes a long-lived poison and a second gene that makes a short-lived antidote.

Detailed explanation-2: -Horizontal transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells can occur within the same or different bacterial species. Plasmids often encode genes that provide its host with a survival advantage under specific environmental conditions (ex: metabolic constraints or presence of antimicrobials).

Detailed explanation-3: -Bacterial plasmids may encode genes for traits that are sometimes beneficial to their hosts, such as antimicrobial resistance, virulence, heavy metal tolerance, and the catabolism of unique nutrient sources.

Detailed explanation-4: -Plasmid carry genes that may confer an advantage to the host cell is True. The plasmid can be found naturally in bacteria and some eukaryotes. It provides bacteria additional advantages like antibiotic resistance. The plasmid can also be used to clone and transfer genes.

Detailed explanation-5: -These structures play a key role in bacterial evolution: in addition to genes that enable their own replication and spread, plasmids can carry genes that are beneficial to the bacterial host.