What is the Difference Between Plasmid and Vector?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚A plasmid is an extra-chromosomal DNA molecule that replicates independently and is commonly found in bacterial cells. It is a double-stranded, circular DNA molecule that usually carries one or more genes and is responsible for a useful characteristic displayed by the host bacterium. Plasmids can vary in size from less than 1.0 kb to more than 200 kb.
A vector, on the other hand, is a specialized plasmid that has been engineered to act as a carrier or a vehicle that transfers specific foreign genes into host cells. Vectors are DNA molecules that act as vehicles in transporting foreign DNA into the host. They are often smaller in size than naturally occurring plasmids. Examples of vectors include plasmids, bacteriophages, and cosmids.
In summary, the main differences between plasmids and vectors are:
- Plasmids are natural, extra-chromosomal DNA molecules found in bacterial cells, while vectors are artificially synthesized or manipulated DNAs designed to transfer foreign genes into host cells.
- Plasmids usually carry genes that provide useful characteristics to the host bacterium, while vectors are designed to carry and transfer specific foreign DNA fragments.
Comparative Table: Plasmid vs Vector
Here is a table summarizing the differences between plasmids and vectors:
| Feature | Plasmid | Vector |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A plasmid is an extrachromosomal DNA molecule that replicates independently and is often found in bacterial cells. | A vector is a DNA molecule that acts as a vehicle to transport foreign DNA into a host cell. |
| Examples | pBR322, pUC18, pUC19. | Plasmid, Bacteriophage, Cosmids, and Artificial Chromosomes (BAC, YAC). |
| Function | Plasmids are used in recombinant DNA technology and can act as vectors (vehicles) for cloning purposes. | Vectors are used to transfer foreign DNA fragments into host cells, replicate, and transfer information inside the host cell. |
| Types | There are different types of cloning vectors, including plasmids, cosmids, bacteriophages, BACs, HACs, and YACs. | Vectors can be derived from viruses, bacteria, or even eukaryotic cells. |
Plasmids are a type of vector commonly used in recombinant DNA technology, and they are double-stranded, circular, extrachromosomal DNA molecules that can separate from the genomic DNA inside bacterial cells. Vectors, on the other hand, are DNA molecules that act as vehicles to transport foreign DNA into host cells. Examples of vectors include plasmids, bacteriophages, cosmids, and artificial chromosomes (e.g., BAC, YAC).
- Plasmid vs Transposon
- Viral vs Nonviral Vectors
- Plasmid vs Chromosome
- Genomic vs Plasmid DNA
- Cloning Vector vs Expression Vector
- Plasmid vs Cosmid
- Plasmid DNA vs Chromosomal DNA
- Plasmid vs Episome
- Carrier vs Vector
- Shuttle Vector vs Expression Vector
- F Plasmid vs R Plasmid
- Viral Vector vs mRNA Vaccines
- Insertion vs Replacement Vectors
- Genomic DNA vs Plasmid DNA Isolation
- Fomite vs Vector
- Adeno-associated Viral Vector vs Adenoviral Vector
- Transfection vs Transduction
- Transposon vs Retrotransposon
- Transformation vs Transfection