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Bacteria

Stuckon bio question:

What's the function of a plasmid/loop of DNA in a bacterium?

Thanks :smile:

The bacterial plasmid often contains genes coding for antibiotic resistance. It is thus advantageous to the bacteria giving it a greater ability to survive. Some of the genes can also encode bacteriocins (proteins which kill other bacteria) or synthesis of toxins. Does that help?

Reply 2

Oracle_163

plasmid usually codes for antibiotic resistance (eg ampR or tetR) and is the basis for genetic engineering (eg Bt corn)... Could read up more about Bt if you want to know the role of plasmids in genetic engineering =)