Episome partitioning distributes an independently maintained genetic element to descendant cells during cell division. Random allocation can lose a low-copy element from some daughters, whereas active tethering or segregation systems can improve retention. Replication and partitioning are therefore distinct requirements: an element can copy efficiently yet still be lost if its copies travel together into only one daughter. [ref]
Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition by Bruce Alberts and others. Chapter 5, The Initiation and Completion of DNA Replication: plasmid maintenance
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