The term “recombinant DNA technology” refers to
A. deliberately moving genes from one type of cell into another so that the new cell synthesizes that specific gene product.
B. selective breeding.
C. ensuring that a specific gene will be replicated over-and-over.
D. synthesizing DNA from scratch.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. deliberately moving genes from one type of cell into another so that the new cell synthesizes that specific gene product.
Explanation:
Recombinant DNA technology, often referred to as genetic engineering, involves the manipulation of DNA to achieve desired traits or functions. It specifically refers to the process of isolating a gene of interest from one organism and inserting it into the DNA of another organism. This process results in the expression of the gene product (such as a protein) in the host organism, which may not normally produce it.
In recombinant DNA technology, scientists use various techniques, such as restriction enzymes, to cut DNA at specific points and ligase enzymes to reattach the DNA fragments. The gene of interest is inserted into a vector (like a plasmid), which is then introduced into a host cell. The host cell can be a bacterium, yeast, plant, or even an animal cell. Once inside the host, the gene can be expressed, and the host may begin to produce the desired protein or enzyme. This process has applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
For example, in medicine, recombinant DNA technology has been used to produce insulin, growth hormones, and vaccines. In agriculture, it has led to the development of genetically modified crops that are more resistant to pests or environmental stress. In biotechnology, it is used to create organisms that can produce valuable proteins or other chemicals.
This method is distinct from selective breeding, which involves mating organisms with desired traits over generations, or synthesizing DNA from scratch, which is a different field of research involving artificial gene construction. Therefore, the key characteristic of recombinant DNA technology is the deliberate transfer of genes across different organisms to produce specific products.