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What is an episome in biology?
episome, in bacteria, one of a group of extrachromosomal genetic elements called plasmids, consisting of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and capable of conferring a selective advantage upon the bacteria in which they occur. A bacterial cell into whose chromosome the viral DNA has become integrated is called a prophage.
What is an episome in virus?
Definition of episome : a genetic determinant (such as the DNA of some bacteriophages) that can replicate autonomously in bacterial cytoplasm or as an integral part of the chromosomes.
What is episome give an example?
An episome is a portion of genetic material that can exist independent of the main body of genetic material (called the chromosome) at some times, while at other times is able to integrate into the chromosome. Examples of episomes include insertion sequences and transposons. Viruses are another example of an episome.
What is the difference between episome and plasmid?
The main difference between plasmid and episome is that plasmid does not integrate into the genome, whereas episome can integrate into the genome. Plasmid and episome are two types of DNA elements which exist independently of the genome.
Do humans have plasmid?
Plasmid is a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan. Human beings do not contain a plasmid.
Who coined the term episome?
Episome Meaning: François Jacob and Élie Wollman coined the word episome in 1958, to describe extrachromosomal genetic material which can reproduce independently or incorporate further into chromosomes.
What are Episomes Class 11?
B. Extrachromosomal hereditary material of bacteria. Complete answer: An episome is a non-essential genetic element in bacteria. …
Where is episome found?
Episomes or plasmids are lengths of DNA existing either in the cytoplasm or attached to the chromosome of a bacterium: they replicate in synchrony with the bacterial chromosome, and are thus perpetuated as long as the parent strain exists.
Can DNA circular?
Circular DNA molecules that are of great significance in nature as well as in numerous biotechnology applications are plasmids, which are widespread among bacteria. Plasmids are small circular DNA molecules consisting of just a few genes to more than a hundred.
What does episome mean in medical terms?
Medical Definition of episome : a genetic determinant (as the DNA of some bacteriophages) that can replicate either autonomously in bacterial cytoplasm or as an integral part of their chromosomes — compare plasmid Other Words from episome
What is the episome of a bacterial virus?
Some bacterial viruses, called temperate phages, carry DNA that can act as an episome. A bacterial cell into whose chromosome the viral DNA has become integrated is called a prophage.
What is episome of F + cells?
Episome. F + and Hfr cells act as donors during conjugation, a mating process in certain bacteria ( e.g., Escherichia, Salmonella, Serratia, Pseudomonas ). During conjugation, cells lacking the episome (called F – cells) may receive either the episome (from an F + cell) or the episome plus the chromosomal genes to which it is attached…
What are the components of episomal plasmids?
Episomal plasmids have two integral components; CEN6-ARSH4-HIS3 sequences from yeast for maintenance of plasmid as an independent entity in cells and E. coli oriT (origin of transfer) genes for conjugation mediated transfer of plasmid from bacteria to the host.