NEETZoologyBiotechnology - Principles and Processes
What is the advantage of using bacteriophage or plasmid as a vector in genetic engineering?
Options
- ATheir replication is controlled by chromosomal DNA
- BTheir replication is not dependent on chromosomal DNA
- CThey cannot replicate within bacterial cells
- DThey replicate with low copy numbers
Correct answer
B. Their replication is not dependent on chromosomal DNA
Step-by-step solution
You know that plasmids and bacteriophages have the ability to replicate within bacterial cells independent of the control of chromosomal DNA. Bacteriophages because of their high number per cell, have very high copy numbers of their genome within the bacterial cells. Some plasmids may have only one or two copies per cell whereas others may have 15-100 copies per cell. Their numbers can go even higher. If we are able to link an alien piece of DNA with bacteriophage or plasmid DNA, we can multiply its numbers equal t