Which of the following features of a cloning vector is responsible for helping in the identification and elimination of non-transformants while selectively permitting the growth of transformants?

Step-by-step solution

A selectable marker is a gene introduced into a cell, especially a bacterium or to cells in culture, that confers a trait suitable for artificial selection. It helps in identifying and eliminating non-transformants and selectively permitting the growth of the transformants. For example, genes encoding resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, or kanamycin are considered useful selectable markers for E. coli. Answer: Selectable marker