Why bacterial chromosome is circular?

Human Biology (MindTap Course List)
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305112100
Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillan
Chapter21: Dna, Genes, And Biotechnology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Why is DNA replication called semiconservative?
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Why bacterial chromosome is circular?

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Step 1

Bacteria are single celled microorganisms and their cell structure is simpler than the other organisms. Bacterial cell is gel like matrix, which is composed of enzymes, nutrients, water, gases, and wastes. It contains cell structures such as a chromosome, ribosome, and plasmids. Bacterial cells don’t have the nucleus and that’s why their DNA content is found in the nucleoid, which is a region of cytoplasm without membrane, or as a plasmid.

Step 2

The genetic information of bacterial cells is contained in a single loop of the DNA. They contain circular DNA molecule as most of the prokaryotes and the circular DNA molecule has no free ends. These free ends create challenges to the cells with respect to replication of DNA and stability. Cells that contain chromosomes with free ends or telomeres (as in eukaryotes) have mechanisms to overcome these challenges.

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