Vector: in molecular genetics, a vector is a genetic element (usually an episomeplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigEpisome: a piece of DNA that exists separately from chromosomes 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. of sort such as a plasmidplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPlasmid: a circular episome found in bacteria and yeast. Plasmids are commonly used as cloning vectors. but can be something like a virus) that is used to cloneplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigClone: Depending on the context, this word can have a few different meanings:

* In the context of genes, cloning means that the physical identity of a gene has been found, and the gene has been sequenced. * In the context of DNA, a cloned DNA fragment is one that has been inserted into some kind of and/or transfer genesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGene: read Chapters 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 for a definition of gene :-) into and out of cells.