<P> In order for plasmids to replicate independently within a cell , they must possess a stretch of DNA that can act as an origin of replication . The self - replicating unit , in this case the plasmid , is called a replicon . A typical bacterial replicon may consist of a number of elements , such as the gene for plasmid - specific replication initiation protein ( Rep ) , repeating units called iterons , DnaA boxes , and an adjacent AT - rich region . Smaller plasmids make use of the host replicative enzymes to make copies of themselves , while larger plasmids may carry genes specific for the replication of those plasmids . A few types of plasmids can also insert into the host chromosome , and these integrative plasmids are sometimes referred to as episomes in prokaryotes . </P>
<P> In order for plasmids to replicate independently within a cell , they must possess a stretch of DNA that can act as an origin of replication . The self - replicating unit , in this case the plasmid , is called a replicon . A typical bacterial replicon may consist of a number of elements , such as the gene for plasmid - specific replication initiation protein ( Rep ) , repeating units called iterons , DnaA boxes , and an adjacent AT - rich region . Smaller plasmids make use of the host replicative enzymes to make copies of themselves , while larger plasmids may carry genes specific for the replication of those plasmids . A few types of plasmids can also insert into the host chromosome , and these integrative plasmids are sometimes referred to as episomes in prokaryotes . </P>
prokaryotic cells may also contain small rings of dna known as
prokaryotic cells may also contain small rings of dna known as
replicon
replicon