Bacteria provide genetic engineers with __ and __
Biology · Middle School · Thu Feb 04 2021
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Bacteria provide genetic engineers with plasmids and enzymes.
Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules separate from the bacterial chromosomal DNA. They naturally exist in bacteria and are often used as vectors to transfer genes between organisms. Genetic engineers can insert foreign DNA into plasmids to carry new genes into a bacterial cell, which can then replicate and express the new gene.
Enzymes from bacteria, such as restriction enzymes and ligases, are crucial tools for genetic engineering. Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences, which can be used to splice genes into plasmids or other vectors. DNA ligases are used to join DNA fragments together, such as sealing a new gene into a plasmid's DNA.