One of the key factors, which makes plasmid the vector in genetic engineering is thata)It is resistant to antibiotics.b)It is resistant to restriction enzymes.c)It has the ability to carry a foreign gene.d)It has the ability to cause infection in the host.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Plasmids, cosmids or bacteriophages can be used as vector in genetic engineering. Plasmids are most widely used circular, extra chromosomal DNA segments seen in the bacterial cells. They carry a foreign gene or desired gene to the host. The size of plasmids ranges from 1x10^6  to 200x10^6  daltons. Among other vector plasmids are pBR 322, those of pUC series and Ti, Ri plasmids of Agrobacterium.

Answer

Yes correct answer is C and plasmid use as a carrier for transfer genetic material  from one organism to another organism.  And it's very used in genetics engineering.

Answer

Plasmids as Vectors in Genetic Engineering

Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that are commonly used as vectors in genetic engineering. Vectors are vehicles that are used to transfer foreign DNA into host cells. Plasmids possess several key characteristics that make them ideal for this purpose. Among these characteristics, the ability to carry a foreign gene is the most important factor that makes plasmids popular as vectors.

1. Ability to Carry a Foreign Gene
Plasmids have the unique ability to carry foreign DNA fragments, such as genes of interest, and transfer them into host cells. This is primarily due to their small size and circular structure, which allows them to easily enter cells. Foreign DNA can be inserted into plasmids using various techniques, such as restriction enzymes and DNA ligase. Once the foreign gene is incorporated into the plasmid, it can be transferred into host cells, where it can be expressed and produce the desired protein.

2. Resistance to Antibiotics
While resistance to antibiotics is a characteristic of some plasmids, it is not the key factor that makes them vectors in genetic engineering. Antibiotic resistance genes are often incorporated into plasmids to serve as selectable markers. These markers allow researchers to selectively grow and identify the cells that have taken up the plasmid. However, plasmids can still function as vectors even without antibiotic resistance.

3. Resistance to Restriction Enzymes
Plasmids are not inherently resistant to restriction enzymes. Restriction enzymes are proteins that recognize specific DNA sequences and cleave the DNA at those sites. However, plasmids can be engineered to contain multiple restriction enzyme recognition sites, allowing for the efficient insertion of foreign DNA. This characteristic is important for the successful cloning of genes into plasmids, but it is not the primary reason why plasmids are selected as vectors.

4. Ability to Cause Infection in the Host
Plasmids are not capable of causing infection in the host. Unlike viruses, which can infect cells and replicate themselves, plasmids are inert DNA molecules that require a host cell for replication and expression of the foreign gene. Once inside the host cell, plasmids can replicate alongside the host cell's DNA, ensuring the stable maintenance of the foreign gene.

In conclusion, the key factor that makes plasmids popular as vectors in genetic engineering is their ability to carry a foreign gene. Plasmids can efficiently transfer foreign DNA into host cells, allowing for the expression of desired proteins and the study of gene function. While plasmids may possess other characteristics, such as resistance to antibiotics or restriction enzymes, these are not the primary reasons why they are selected as vectors in genetic engineering.

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