Gene Cloning 1

Question 1

What is DNA cloning?

Answer 1

When DNA is extracted from an organism and all its genes are obtained.

Question 2

What is gene cloning?

Answer 2

In gene (DNA) cloning a particular gene is copied. Cloning a gene means isolating an exact copy of a single gene from the entire genome of an organism

Question 3

what does the process of gene cloning involve?

Answer 3

Involves copying the DNA sequence of that gene into a smaller, more accessible piece of DNA e.g. plasmid

Question 4

List 5 reasons why DNA is cloned.

Answer 4

To obtain a pure sample of an individual gene separated from all other genes in the cell.

Determine the nucleotide sequence of specific genes.

So the specific DNA can be amplified.

So the specific protein can be expressed.

So the protein’s function can be investigated.

Question 5

Give an overview of gene cloning.

Answer 5

1. DNA is purified from a cell. Fragment of the DNA that contains a gene of interest is isolated using a restriction enzyme or PCR.
2. The DNA fragment is inserted into a circular DNA molecule, vector (plasmid), to produce a recombinant DNA molecule.
   3.Transform host cells with the vector which then replicates producing numerous identical copies of itself & the gene that it carries.
   When host cell divides copies of recombinant DNA are passed to progeny & further vector replication takes place.
   After large number of cell divisions a colony or clone of identical host cell is produced.

Question 6

What are the applications of gene cloning?

Answer 6

Medicine
Agriculture
Research
Forensic science