Chapter 13, Problem 12A

Summary Introduction

To fill:

The correct term in the given blank.

Introduction:

Researchers use genetic engineering to manipulate DNA. It makes possible to produce organisms that contain individual genes from another organism. Recombinant DNA contains DNA from different sources. It can be made by connecting fragments of DNA from different sources. DNA ligase is used to join a plasmid DNA and a DNA fragment obtained from another genome to create a recombinant plasmid DNA.

Answer to Problem 12A

During transformation, a cell takes in DNA from outside the cell.

Explanation of Solution

To make large quantities of recombinant plasmid DNA, bacterial cells are mixed with recombinant plasmid DNA. Some bacteria take up the recombinant plasmid DNA through a process called transformation. Bacterial cells can be transformed by heating or using electric pulsation. Brief heating or short electric pulse creates openings in the plasma membrane of bacterial cells. These openings allow recombinant plasmid DNA to enter the bacterial cells. The bacteria is said to be transformed. It can make multiple copies of recombinant plasmid DNA during cell replication.