episome

[ ep-uh-sohm ]
/ ˈɛp əˌsoʊm /

noun Genetics.

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

Origin of episome

First recorded in 1930–35; epi- + -some3

OTHER WORDS FROM episome

ep·i·so·mal, adjective ep·i·so·mal·ly, adverb

Words nearby episome

episiostenosis, episiotomy, episode, episodic, episodic memory, episome, epispadias, epispastic, episplenitis, epispore, epist.

British Dictionary definitions for episomal

episome
/ (ˈɛpɪˌsəʊm) /

noun

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

Medical definitions for episomal

episome
[ ĕp′ĭ-sōm′ ]

n.

A genetic particle within certain cells, especially bacterial cells, that can exist either autonomously in the cytoplasm or as part of a chromosome.