Final answer:
An R plasmid is a type of plasmid that carries genes for resistance to an environmental attribute, such as heavy metals, as well as genes for the transfer of the plasmid. They can exist either in the bacterial chromosome or outside it, and are able to transfer between cells of the same species and different species. R plasmids play a significant role in the spread of antibiotic resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
An R plasmid is a type of plasmid that carries genes for resistance to an environmental attribute, such as heavy metals, as well as genes for the transfer of the plasmid.
R plasmids can exist either in the bacterial chromosome or outside of it. They are able to transfer between cells of the same species and even between cells of different species.
Single R plasmids often contain multiple genes that confer resistance to multiple antibiotics, making them an important mechanism for the spread of antibiotic resistance. They can be transferred through the process of conjugation.