Arosa Hya
08-06-2015, 11:07 PM
An episome is a portion of genetic material that can exist independent of the main body of genetic material (called the chromosome (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/1478/Chromosome.html)) at some times, while at other times is able to integrate into the chromosome.
Examples of episomes include insertion sequences and transposons. Viruses are another example of an episome. Viruses that integrate their genetic material into the host chromosome enable the viral nucleic acid (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/4764/Nucleic-Acid.html) to be produced along with the host genetic material in a nondestructive manner. As an autonomous unit (i.e., existing outside of the chromosome) however, the viral episome destroys the host cell (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/1319/Cell.html) as it commandeers the host's replication apparatuses to make new copies of itself.
Another example of an episome is called the F factor. The F factor determines whether genetic material in the chromosome of one organism (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/4906/Organism.html) is transferred into another organism. The F factor can exist in three states that are designated as FPLUS, Hfr, and F prime.
FPLUS refers to the F factor that exists independently of the chromosome. Hfr stands for high frequency of recombination, and refers to a factor that has integrated into the host chromosome. The F prime factor exists outside the chromosome, but has a portion of chromosomal DNA attached to it.
Examples of episomes include insertion sequences and transposons. Viruses are another example of an episome. Viruses that integrate their genetic material into the host chromosome enable the viral nucleic acid (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/4764/Nucleic-Acid.html) to be produced along with the host genetic material in a nondestructive manner. As an autonomous unit (i.e., existing outside of the chromosome) however, the viral episome destroys the host cell (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/1319/Cell.html) as it commandeers the host's replication apparatuses to make new copies of itself.
Another example of an episome is called the F factor. The F factor determines whether genetic material in the chromosome of one organism (http://www.urdutehzeb.com/pages/4906/Organism.html) is transferred into another organism. The F factor can exist in three states that are designated as FPLUS, Hfr, and F prime.
FPLUS refers to the F factor that exists independently of the chromosome. Hfr stands for high frequency of recombination, and refers to a factor that has integrated into the host chromosome. The F prime factor exists outside the chromosome, but has a portion of chromosomal DNA attached to it.