Plasmids were discovered by

Options

A. Hayes and lederberg
B. Lederberg and Tatum
C. Boliver and Robrigiuez
D. Messing and Vieria

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Plasmids:**
- Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules found in bacteria. They exist independently of chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently.

2. **Function of Plasmids:**
- Plasmids carry genes that provide bacteria with additional traits, such as antibiotic resistance (R plasmids) and fertility (F plasmids).

3. **Discovery of Plasmids:**
- The question asks about the discovery of plasmids. Plasmids were discovered by scientists Hayes and Lederberg.

4. **Clarifying Other Scientists:**
- While other scientists like Bolivar and Roderigues contributed to biotechnology by developing artificial cloning vectors, they did not discover plasmids.
- Similarly, Lederberg and Totem, as well as Messing and Virat, are not associated with the discovery of plasmids.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Plasmids were discovered by" is Hayes and Lederberg.

**Final Answer:**
Plasmids were discovered by Hayes and Lederberg.

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