Understanding Plasmids in Biology

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What is the purpose of a selectable marker in gene transfer using a plasmid?

To kill the host cells

To eliminate bacteria that have not been genetically modified (correct)

To replicate the plasmid in the host cells

To increase the chance of gene expression in the host cells

How does gene therapy work in treating genetic diseases?

By reducing the replication of healthy genes in the patient's cells

By removing all genes from the patient's cells

By introducing a healthy gene into the patient's cells (correct)

By increasing the number of defective genes in the patient's cells

What is the main function of a recombinant plasmid?

To produce insulin in bacteria

To act as a carrier of the gene of interest to host cells (correct)

To remove defective genes from host cells

To cure diseases directly

In gene therapy, what is a common method for introducing genes into patients' cells?

Using adeno-associated viruses Signup and view all the answers

Why are plasmids used in creating disease models?

To generate rat genetic models Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential step for a gene of interest to be transferred into host cells?

It must be inserted into a cloning vector like a plasmid Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a virulence plasmid is inside a bacterium?

It turns the bacterium into a disease agent Signup and view all the answers

How are disease models created using plasmids different from gene therapy?

Disease models help understand diseases by creating models while gene therapy introduces healthy genes to cure diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Why are antibiotic resistance genes commonly used as selectable markers in cloning vectors?

To help identify which cells have taken up the plasmid of interest. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a recombinant plasmid?

To carry the gene of interest into host cells Signup and view all the answers

Why are plasmids used in gene therapy?

To insert a healthy gene into human cells Signup and view all the answers

Which method is commonly used to ensure that only genetically modified bacteria survive in cloning vectors?

Including selectable markers like antibiotic resistance genes Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of a selectable marker in cloning vectors?

To select cells with the plasmid of interest Signup and view all the answers

In which organism can a virulence plasmid turn into a disease agent?

Humans Signup and view all the answers

How do plasmids contribute to insulin production?

By carrying the insulin gene into bacteria for multiplication Signup and view all the answers

What allows for the selection of genetically modified bacteria in cloning vectors?

Including antibiotic resistance genes as selectable markers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a virulence plasmid inside a bacterium?

Turning into a pathogen Signup and view all the answers

How are genes transferred into host cells using plasmids?

By inserting them into a cloning vector Signup and view all the answers

Why are antibiotic resistance genes commonly used as selectable markers?

To allow selection of cells with the plasmid of interest Signup and view all the answers

Understanding Plasmids in Biology

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