plasmid etymology

Etymology:

  • The term "plasmid" is derived from the Greek words "πλασμα" (plasma), meaning "form" or "mold," and "-ιδιον" (-idion), a diminutive suffix.

Meaning and Origin:

Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that are non-essential (accessory) to the chromosomal DNA of a cell. They are found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotes. Plasmids carry genes that typically provide an advantage to the host organism, such as antibiotic resistance, metabolic pathway enhancements, or virulence factors.

The term plasmid was originally coined by researchers studying genetic exchange in bacteria. In the 1950s, it was observed that certain genetic material could be transferred from one bacterial cell to another through a process called conjugation. This extrachromosomal DNA was found to be distinct from the chromosome and was given the name "plasmid."

Over time, the term "plasmid" has been expanded to include similar DNA molecules found in archaea and eukaryotes. Plasmids are now recognized as important genetic elements that contribute to the evolution and adaptation of organisms.

plasmid relate terms

  • plasma

    Etymology The word plasma derives from the Greek word plasma which means moldable s

  • plasm

    Etymology The word plasm comes from the Greek word πλάσμα plasma which means

  • airplane

    Etymology Old French avion c 13th century Medieval Latin avis bird Meaning

  • dysplasia

    Etymology Dysplasia derives from the Greek words Dys meaning abnormal difficult

  • ectoplasm

    Etymology From Greek ἐκτός ektos outside πλάσμα plasma creature

  • effleurage

    Etymology French effleurer meaning to graze skim skim over From Latin efflorare

  • esplanade

    Etymology French esplanade Italian spianata Latin explanāre to make level Mea

  • explain

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and historical development of words It in

  • explanation

    Etymology The word explanation is derived from the Latin word explanare which means

  • feldspar

    Etymology Feldspar is derived from the German word feldspat which is a compound of f

  • field

    Etymology The word field derives from the Middle English word feld which itself is d

  • flaneur

    Etymology French literally stroller or saunterer from flaner to roam wander i

  • floor

    Etymology The word floor comes from the Old English word flor which is of uncertain

  • llano

    Etymology The word llano is derived from the Spanish word llano meaning plain or

  • palm

    Etymology of Palm The word palm comes from the Latin word palma which itself is d

  • palm

    Etymology of Palm The word palm comes from the Latin word palma which itself is d

  • palmy

    Etymology The word palmy comes from the Latin word palma which means palm tree M

  • piano

    Etymology Piano is derived from the Italian word pianoforte which literally means so

  • pianoforte

    Etymology The term pianoforte comes from two Italian words Piano meaning soft or

  • plain

    Etymology Plain derives from the Old French word plain which in turn comes from the

  • plan

    Etymology The word plan originated from the Latin word planus meaning flat or lev

  • planar

    Etymology Planar Derived from the Latin word planus meaning flat or level Me

  • Planaria

    Planaria Etymology and Meaning The word planaria comes from the Latin word planus meani

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • plane

    Etymology The word plane has its origins in the Latin word planus which means flat

  • planet

    Planet noun Etymology From Middle English planete derived from Old English planēta

  • plani

    Etymology and Meaning The word plani is derived from the Latin word planus meaning

  • planisphere

    Etymology Planisphere originates from the Latin words Planus Flat or level Sphaera

  • plano

    Etymology The word plano originates from the Latin word planus meaning flat or e

  • plasma

    Etymology The word plasma derives from the Greek word plasma which means moldable s

  • plasmid

    Etymology The term plasmid is derived from the Greek words πλασμα plasma m

  • plasm

    Etymology The word plasm comes from the Greek word πλάσμα plasma which means

  • plaster

    Etymology The word plaster derives from the Late Latin term plastrum which means w

  • plastic

    Etymology The word plastic is derived from the Greek word plastikos which means cap

  • plastid

    Etymology Plastic id Meaning An organelle in plant cells that contains pigments f

  • Poland

    Etymology The name Poland is derived from the Proto Slavic word Polanie meaning peo

  • pole

    Etymology The word pole derives from the following roots Middle English pol Old

  • polka

    Etymology The word polka is derived from the Czech word půlka which means half

  • protoplasm

    Etymology Proto Greek First original plasm Greek Formed molded Meaning P

  • veldt

    Etymology The word veldt has Dutch origins Dutch veld field Meaning A veldt

  • avalanche

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  • boggle

    Etymology The word boggle has two etymological origins Origin 1 From the Middle En

  • atheist

    Etymology and Meaning Origin Greek A prefix Meaning without or not Theos roo

  • Saturn

    Etymology The name Saturn derives from the Latin word Saturnus which is thought to have

  • stress

    Etymology of stress The word stress comes from the Latin word stringere meaning

  • category

    Etymology The word category derives from the Ancient Greek word kategoria meaning

  • cracker jack

    Etymology The term crackerjack is thought to have originated from the 1890s when it

  • soccer

    Etymology of Soccer The word soccer is a shortened form of Association Football w

  • innocent

    Etymology The word innocent comes from the Latin word innocens which means harmles