Among other uses, recombinant DNA technology has provided a mechanism through which we can have nonhuman cells produce
A probes
B DNA fingerprints
C sheep
D human proteins
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. human proteins.
Recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized the ability to produce human proteins in nonhuman cells, a process known as gene cloning or gene expression. In this technology, scientists isolate a gene that codes for a specific human protein and insert it into a plasmid vector. This vector is then introduced into a host cell, typically a bacterium, yeast, or mammalian cell, which will express the foreign gene and produce the desired protein. The nonhuman cells are now capable of synthesizing human proteins in large quantities, which can then be harvested for medical and industrial applications.
One of the most prominent applications of recombinant DNA technology is the production of therapeutic proteins such as insulin, growth hormones, and clotting factors. For example, human insulin, which was once extracted from pig or cow pancreases, is now produced using recombinant DNA technology. The gene for human insulin is inserted into bacteria (usually E. coli), which then produce insulin that is identical to the human version. This has greatly improved the availability and safety of insulin for diabetic patients.
Another key application is the production of monoclonal antibodies, which are used in cancer treatment and immunotherapy. Recombinant DNA technology enables the large-scale production of these antibodies by inserting the necessary genes into mammalian cells, which can then produce human-like antibodies.
This process eliminates the need for human or animal-derived sources, ensuring that the proteins produced are safer, purer, and more abundant. The impact of recombinant DNA technology on medicine has been profound, enabling the development of treatments for diseases that were once difficult or impossible to manage.