What is the Difference Between Plasmid and Episome?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Plasmids and episomes are both types of extrachromosomal DNA elements found in organisms, but they have distinct characteristics:
- Plasmid:
- Circular, small DNA molecules (double-stranded extrachromosomal) found in bacteria.
- Replicate independently of the host chromosome.
- Do not integrate with the host chromosomal DNA.
- Can be used as vectors to carry foreign DNA fragments.
- Primarily found in prokaryotes.
- Contain special genes that provide bacteria with traits such as antibiotic resistance or heavy metal tolerance.
- Episome:
- Larger than plasmids, they are a type of extrachromosomal DNA.
- Can integrate with the host chromosome, allowing them to be replicated both independently and as part of the host genome.
- Do not contain information for self-replication.
- Can be found in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
- Do not contain special genes encoding traits.
In summary, plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that replicate independently and do not integrate with the host chromosome, while episomes are larger DNA elements that can integrate with the host chromosome and be replicated as part of it.
Comparative Table: Plasmid vs Episome
Here is a table comparing the differences between plasmids and episomes:
Feature | Plasmid | Episome |
---|---|---|
Definition | Circular, small double-stranded extrachromosomal DNA molecules in bacteria | Extrachromosomal DNA that can integrate into the host's chromosome |
Size | Usually small, between 5 and 100 genes | Larger than plasmids, but size varies |
Location | Occurs in prokaryotes | Occurs in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes |
Integration | Does not integrate into the host's chromosome | Can integrate into the host's chromosome |
Self-replicate | Contains the necessary information for self-replication | Does not contain information for self-replication |
Antibiotic Resistance | Some plasmids provide special traits such as antibiotic resistance | Episomes do not contain special genes |
Use as Vector | Can be used as a vector to carry foreign DNA | Primarily not used as a vector |
Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria, while episomes are extrachromosomal DNA elements that can integrate into the host's chromosome. Plasmids replicate independently of the host chromosome and are often used as vectors in molecular biology. Episomes, on the other hand, do not self-replicate and are not typically used as vectors.
- Plasmid vs Transposon
- Plasmid vs Chromosome
- Genomic vs Plasmid DNA
- Plasmid DNA vs Chromosomal DNA
- Plasmid vs Vector
- Plasmid vs Cosmid
- Genomic DNA vs Plasmid DNA Isolation
- F Plasmid vs R Plasmid
- Transposon vs Retrotransposon
- Genetics vs Epigenetics
- DNA Transposons vs Retrotransposons
- Protoplast vs Protoplasm
- Composite Transposons vs IS Elements
- Chromatin vs Chromosomes
- Gene vs Chromosome
- Epistasis vs Pleiotropy
- Complementation vs Epistasis
- Ectoplasm vs Endoplasm
- Genome vs Exome