Observe the diagram and answer the question.

Identify the characteristic of plasmid.

It can replicate within bacterial cell independent of the control of chromosomal DNA

The correct answer is Option (4) → It can replicate within bacterial cell independent of the control of chromosomal DNA

A plasmid is an extrachromosomal DNA molecule, meaning it exists outside the main chromosomal DNA of a cell. It is double-stranded, not single-stranded, and typically has a circular structure. Plasmids are capable of self-replication, which means they can replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome. This property allows them to be inherited by new cells during cell division.

The discovery of plasmids has had a significant impact on biotechnology because they serve as valuable tools in genetic engineering, particularly for the cloning and manipulation of genes. Researchers can insert desired genes into plasmids and use them to introduce these genes into other cells, making plasmids essential for genetic research and biomedical advancements.