episome

[ ep-uh-sohm ]

noun

, Genetics.

1. bacterial DNA that is extrachromosomal and that may replicate autonomously as a plasmid or become incorporated into the chromosome and replicate with it.

episome

/ ˈɛpɪˌsəʊm /

noun

1. a unit of genetic material (DNA) in bacteria, such as a plasmid, that can either replicate independently or can be integrated into the host chromosome

Other Words From

• epi·somal adjective
• epi·somal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of episome¹

First recorded in 1930–35; epi- + -some ³