In genetic engineering, the antibiotics are used 1)to keep the culture...
Antibiotics in Genetic Engineering
Antibiotics play a significant role in genetic engineering. They are used for different purposes, including keeping the cultures free from infection, serving as selectable markers, selecting healthy vectors, and identifying sequences from where replication starts.
Keeping Cultures Free from Infection
Antibiotics are used to keep the cultures free from infection. When bacteria are genetically modified, they become more susceptible to infections. Antibiotics are added to the culture medium to inhibit the growth of bacteria that are not genetically modified. This ensures that the genetically modified bacteria grow without any competition from other bacteria.
Serving as Selectable Markers
Antibiotics also serve as selectable markers. A selectable marker is a gene that confers a desirable trait on bacteria. The gene is inserted into the bacteria along with the gene of interest. The bacteria are then grown on a medium containing the antibiotic. Only the bacteria that have taken up the gene of interest and the selectable marker gene will survive.
Selecting Healthy Vectors
Antibiotics are also used to select healthy vectors. Vectors are used to deliver the gene of interest to the host cell. They can be plasmids or viruses. To ensure that the vector is healthy, it is grown in the presence of antibiotics. If the vector has taken up the antibiotic resistance gene, it will survive.
Identifying Sequences from Where Replication Starts
Antibiotics are also used to identify sequences from where replication starts. In some cases, bacterial replication starts from a specific sequence known as the origin of replication. Antibiotics are added to the culture medium to inhibit replication from other origins. This helps to identify the origin of replication for the gene of interest.
In conclusion, antibiotics are an essential tool in genetic engineering. They are used to keep cultures free from infection, serve as selectable markers, select healthy vectors, and identify sequences from where replication starts. Their use ensures that genetic modification is successful and accurate.
In genetic engineering, the antibiotics are used 1)to keep the culture...
The correct answer is (b)as selectable marker
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