Question Video: Describing the Structure of Prokaryotic Plasmids Biology • Third Year of Secondary School

Name: Describing the Structure of Prokaryotic Plasmids
Uploaded: 2021-09-07
Description: Which of the following best describes prokaryotic plasmids? [A] A thread-like section of DNA that has been coiled and condensed into an X shape. [B] A long molecule of single-stranded DNA. [C] DNA that coils itself around nucleosomes to form small rings. [D] DNA outside of the chromosome that forms small, circular molecules. [E] Additional RNA that forms a large, coiled loop.

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Which of the following best describes prokaryotic plasmids? [A] A thread-like section of DNA that has been coiled and condensed into an X shape. [B] A long molecule of single-stranded DNA. [C] DNA that coils itself around nucleosomes to form small rings. [D] DNA outside of the chromosome that forms small, circular molecules. [E] Additional RNA that forms a large, coiled loop.

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Video Transcript

Which of the following best describes prokaryotic plasmids? (A) A threadlike section of DNA that has been coiled and condensed into an X shape. (B) A long molecule of single-stranded DNA. (C) DNA that coils itself around nucleosomes to form small rings. (D) DNA outside of the chromosome that forms small circular molecules. Or (E) additional RNA that forms a large, coiled loop.

Let’s start by recalling what a plasmid is. A plasmid is a small circular form of DNA found in prokaryotes, such as bacteria. The DNA found in plasmids is not the basic essential DNA of the bacterium, which is found in its chromosome. The DNA in plasmids is extrachromosomal, meaning outside of what’s found in the chromosome. And it is often DNA related to environmental adaptations, such as antibiotic resistance.

Therefore, the correct answer must be (D): DNA outside of the chromosome that forms small circular molecules.