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plasmid

Pronunciation: /ˈplazmɪd/
Definition of plasmid

noun

Biology
  • a genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of the chromosomes, typically a small circular DNA strand in the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan. Plasmids are much used in the laboratory manipulation of genes. Compare with episome.

Origin:

1950s: from plasma + -id2

plasmid in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of plasmid in the US English dictionary
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