Episomes differ from normal bacterial plasmids because…

• A. Episomes carry genes that are not vital to a bacterial cell's life.
• B. Episomes do not replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome.
• C. Episomes are replicated by the same DNA machinery that replicated the bacterial chromosome.
• D. Episomes are integrated into the bacterial chromosome.
• E. A and C.
• F. B and D.

Answer: (F)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of episomes: Episomes are a type of plasmid that can integrate into the bacterial chromosome and replicate as part of it.
2. Compare episomes with normal plasmids: Normal plasmids typically replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome, whereas episomes do not.
3. Recognize the replication mechanism: Episomes are replicated using the same DNA machinery as the bacterial chromosome, unlike normal plasmids which have their own replication mechanisms.
4. Identify integration into the chromosome: Episomes can integrate into the bacterial chromosome, which is a key distinguishing feature from normal plasmids.
5. Evaluate the options: Based on the characteristics of episomes, the correct options are those that highlight their integration into the chromosome and their replication mechanism, which are B and D.