1). It provides selective advantage to the host.

2). Through episome we can know that the genetic material has been transfered to the next generation or not.

3).It may locate gene location.

Genetic element/material that can insert into chromosomes or replicate as circular plasmid.

F episomes is carriying chromosomal fragmebt

Plasmid DNA is an extra-chromosomal DNA molecule, it cannot link up with chromosomal DNA, and it contains the genetic informations that are necessary for its own replication. Episomes is any kind of extra-chromosomal DNA that can link up with chromosomal DNA. That is the main difference between them two. Episomes are usually larger than other extra-chromosomal DNA. An example of episome are the viruses, because they intergrate their genetic material into the host's chromosomal DNA.The only difference between the plasmid and the episome is the integration i-e plasmid can not integrate while episome can integrate into the genome.

The Fertility factor allows genes to be transferred from one bacterium carrying the factor to another bacterium lacking the factor by conjugation. The F factor is carried on the F episome