Question

fill in the blank question

a small circular segment of dna found in the cytoplasm of bacteria that is capable of independent replication and usually contains nonessential genes is a(n)

Explanation:

Identify the biological structure

The question describes a small, circular segment of DNA found in the cytoplasm of bacteria that replicates independently and carries nonessential genes.

Match with microbiological definition

This definition uniquely describes a plasmid, which is an extrachromosomal DNA molecule distinct from the bacterial chromosome.

Answer:

A small circular segment of DNA found in the cytoplasm of bacteria that is capable of independent replication and usually contains nonessential genes is a(n) <blank>plasmid</blank>