What is a vector?
Reveal answer
Carries DNA into a cell.
Key words: DNA
6(c) GENETIC MODIFICATION (GENETIC ENGINEERING) · RECALL
6.13 Plasmids and viruses as vectors
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Two types of vector?
Reveal answer
Plasmids and viruses.
Key words: plasmids · viruses
What is a plasmid?
Reveal answer
A small ring of DNA in bacteria.
Key words: ring
Why use a marker gene?
Reveal answer
Identifies bacteria that took up the plasmid.
Key words: identifies
Make a recombinant plasmid?
Reveal answer
Cut plasmid + gene with same enzyme → sticky ends → ligase.
Key words: ligase
Why is a plasmid a good vector?
Reveal answer
Copied when bacteria divide.
Key words: divide
Vector for plant cells?
Reveal answer
Agrobacterium.
Key words: Agrobacterium
What is meant by the term host cell?
Reveal answer
The cell that receives the recombinant DNA.
Key words: host cell
What is meant by the term genetically modified?
Reveal answer
Having had its DNA altered by genetic engineering.
Key words: genetically modified
Plasmid and virus vectors: for Origin, give the plasmid and the virus.
Reveal answer
Plasmid: Small DNA loop from bacteria. Virus: Viral genetic material.
Key words: Origin
Plasmid and virus vectors: for How DNA enters host, give the plasmid and the virus.
Reveal answer
Plasmid: Taken up by bacteria from surroundings. Virus: Injected when the virus infects the cell.
Key words: How DNA enters host
Plasmid and virus vectors: for Typical host, give the plasmid and the virus.
Reveal answer
Plasmid: Bacteria (e.g. for insulin). Virus: Bacteria, plant or animal cells.
Key words: Typical host
True or false, and why? “All bacteria take up the plasmid.”
Reveal answer
False. Only some bacteria take it up, so successful ones must be identified.
True or false, and why? “A vector is the gene itself.”
Reveal answer
False. The vector is the carrier; the gene is inserted into it.
True or false, and why? “Viral vectors make the host ill.”
Reveal answer
False. Harmful viral genes are usually removed before use.