In molecular biology, genetic engineering techniques are used to insert a specific eukaryotic gene into a bacterial plasmid vector to produce recombinant bacteria.
Name the class of enzyme used to cut the target gene from donor DNA and open the plasmid vector, and explain why using the same enzyme for both is essential.
Identify the enzyme that joins the sugar-phosphate backbones of the target gene and the plasmid, and state the type of bond that it forms.
Instead of isolating the gene directly from genomic DNA, scientists often extract mature mRNA. Describe how this mRNA is converted into double-stranded DNA so that it can be incorporated into the bacterial vector.
Explain how a marker gene, such as one encoding a green fluorescent protein (GFP), is used to identify bacteria that have successfully taken up the recombinant plasmid.
