Episome: a piece of DNAplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigDNA: deoxyribonucleic acid. The genetic material for nearly all life on Earth. that exists separately from chromosomesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigChromosome: a structure that organizes dsDNA in a cell through interactions with various DNA binding proteins. and that can replicate and segregate during cell division. While all episomes are natural in origin, they are commonly exploited by researchers for genetics research.