What is a plasmid? At their most basic level, plasmids are small circular pieces of DNA that replicate independently from the host's chromosomal DNA. They are mainly found in bacteria, but also exist naturally in archaea and eukaryotes such as yeast and plants. In nature, plasmids provide one or more functional benefits to the host such as resistance to antibiotics, degradative functions, and/or virulence. All natural plasmids contain an origin of replication (which controls the host range ... Plasmid are small, extra-chromosomal, circular, super-coiled, double stranded DNA molecule present in mostly all species of bacteria. A plasmid is a DNA molecule, other than the bacterial chromosomes that has the ability of replication and transmission independently. plasmids, small circular DNA molecules that play a crucial role in genetic engineering and molecular biology. Explore the structure, function, and characteristics of plasmids, including their ability to replicate independently within host cells Learn about plasmids, small circular DNA molecules that carry genes and can transfer between bacteria. Discover the different types of plasmids, such as F, R, Col, and Virulence, and how they are used in cloning and biotechnology.