Question

The bacteria we are growing contain both chromosomal DNA and plasmid DNA. Both are circular, but they are different. In 3-5 sentences, discuss at least 3 differences between the chromosomal DNA and plasmid DNA found in our bacterial cells.

Answer 1

Please find the explanation of the differences between chromosomal DNA and plasmid DNA below

Step-by-step explanation:

As stated in this question, a bacteria cell contains both chromosomal or genomic DNA and an extra chromosomal DNA called PLASMID. They are both circular in shape but are different from one another in the following ways:

- Chromosomal DNA is larger in appearance than the plasmid DNA, hence, they differ in terms of size.

- Chromosomal DNA encodes all the information in the genome of the bacterial cell necessary for their growth and development while plasmid DNA encodes few additional beneficial characteristics such as antibiotic resistance, virulence etc.

- Chromosomal DNA is wrapped around histone proteins to form the chromosome structure but plasmid DNA is naked and not wrapped around histone proteins.