Final answer:
Scientists exploit plasmids in bacteria through transformation, where bacteria take up engineered plasmids containing specific genes. The cells that have taken up the plasmid can be selected for and used for various purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientists exploit the plasmids in bacteria through a process called transformation, where bacteria take up free DNA from their surroundings. Plasmids can be engineered to contain specific genes or DNA fragments of interest, such as antibiotic resistance genes or reporter genes. By introducing these engineered plasmids into bacterial cells, scientists can select for the cells that have taken up the plasmid and use them for various purposes, such as producing reagents or studying gene function.