English Explanatory Dictionary

plasmid

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A loop of double-stranded DNA that is separate from — and replicates independently of — the chromosomes; such loops are most commonly found in bacteria, but they are also sometimes found in archaeans and eukaryotic cells, and they are used in genetic engineering as a vector for gene transfer.

Pronunciation

/ˈplæzmɪd/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-plasmid.wav

Word forms

plasmid plasmids

Etymology

From plasma + -id, coined by American molecular biologist Joshua Lederberg in 1952.

Related words

plasm plasma plasmoid capsid replicon

Derived words

chromid cosmid heteroplasmid homoplasmid interplasmid intraplasmid megaplasmid miniplasmid multiplasmid pET plasmid piroplasmid plasmidal plasmidial plasmidic plasmidless plasmidome plasmidomic retroplasmid Ti plasmid
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