Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA found in bacteria that are separate from the main bacterial chromosome. They often contain genes for traits like drug resistance and can be transmitted between bacteria. Plasmids are used in genetic engineering and recombinant DNA techniques to transfer genes between organisms. Their discovery in the early 20th century expanded understanding of heredity, and they continue to be important tools for cloning and altering organisms through recombinant DNA. Different types of plasmids carry various traits or help with integration into chromosomes.

1. Austin Hastings

2. What is a Plasmid
 a small circle of bacterial DNA that is
independent of the main bacterial
chromosome. Plasmids often contain
genes for drug resistances and can be
transmitted between bacteria of the same
and different species: used in genetic
engineering

3. Where are plasmids
 Recombinant DNA
 Genetic Engineering
 Occur naturally in bacteria and yeast
 Sold individually
 Used for cloning
 Genetically altered organisms
 In your DNA

4. History of plasmids
 1903- Walter S. Sutton and Theodor
Boveri think there are hereditary units on
chromosomes.
 1910-1950- Many scientists expand the
thought of Walter and Theodor. Expand
on E Coli mating and beliefs about
matings and relationships with
chromosomes

5. History of Plasmids
 1952- Joshua Lederberg suggests name
“Plasmid”
 1962- Circular DNA is found(circle is the
shape of a plasmid)
 Modern Research- Used in DNA
replication(cloning) and also used to
genetically alter organisms through with
recombinant DNA

6. Different types
 R Plasmids- carry antibiotic resistance
traits
 Col Plasmids- produce bacteriocins
 F Plasmids- needs fertility system to work
 Episomes- help integrate into main
chromosome producing a greater chance
of the transfer of chromosomes with other
bacteria
 Virulence plasmids- produces toxins
damaging the host organism

7. Recombinant DNA
 Plasmids are used as a part of
Recombinant DNA
 Recombinant DNA takes a plasmid out
of an organism and places it into
another that may not contain the trait
contained by the plasmid

8. Basics of Plasmid animation
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNMJ
BMtKKWU

9. pGreen
 http://www.pgreen.ac.uk/a_pls_fr.htm
 This link will help describe a type of
plasmid called pGreen.
 Drag the mouse along the ring to learn
about the plasmid.