Biotech Terms Glossary.

Glossary

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Plasma vs. Plasmids

Plasma and plasmids are two different concepts in biology, though they are related in the sense that both involve genetic material.

Plasma: In biology, plasma usually refers to the liquid component of blood. Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid that makes up about half of the volume of blood. It consists mostly of water, but also contains proteins, hormones, electrolytes, and waste products. Plasma plays crucial roles in transporting nutrients, gases, and waste products throughout the body, as well as maintaining blood pressure and pH balance.

Plasmids: Plasmids, on the other hand, are small, circular DNA molecules that are separate from the chromosomal DNA in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic organisms (such as yeast). Plasmids can replicate independently of the host cell’s chromosomal DNA, and they often carry genes that provide advantages to the host organism, such as antibiotic resistance or the ability to metabolize certain nutrients. Plasmids are frequently used in biotechnology and genetic engineering as vectors for introducing foreign genes into host cells.

Catachem manufacturers plasma free hemoglobin test kits.