Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Intro to Nucleic Acids

GOB Chemistry

26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

Intro to Nucleic Acids

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2:47 minutes

Problem 50

Textbook Question

Describe the structure of a plasmid.

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A plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from the chromosomal DNA of an organism.

Plasmids are commonly found in bacteria but can also exist in archaea and eukaryotic cells.

They are capable of replicating independently of the host cell's chromosomal DNA, which makes them useful in genetic engineering and molecular biology.

Plasmids often carry genes that provide advantages to the host organism, such as antibiotic resistance or the ability to metabolize unusual substances.

In laboratory settings, plasmids are used as vectors to insert specific genes into cells for research or biotechnological applications.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Plasmid Structure

Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules found in bacteria and some eukaryotes. They are distinct from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently within a cell. Their structure typically includes an origin of replication, which allows for autonomous replication, and may also contain genes that confer advantageous traits, such as antibiotic resistance.

Origin of Replication (ori)

The origin of replication, or 'ori', is a specific sequence in a plasmid where DNA replication begins. This region is crucial for the plasmid's ability to replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome. The presence of a functional ori allows plasmids to be maintained in a cell during cell division, ensuring that they are passed on to daughter cells.

Selectable Markers

Selectable markers are genes included in plasmids that provide a way to identify cells that have successfully taken up the plasmid. Common examples include antibiotic resistance genes, which allow only those cells that have incorporated the plasmid to survive in the presence of the antibiotic. This feature is essential in molecular biology for the selection of transformed cells during cloning and genetic engineering.

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