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In genetic engineering, a DNA segment (gene) of interest is transferred to the host cell through a vector. Consider the following four agents (A–D) in this regard and select the correct option about which one or more of these can be used as a vector/vectors.
(A) A bacterium
(B) Plasmid
(C) $Plasmodium$
(D) Bacteriophage
(A) A bacterium
(B) Plasmid
(C) $Plasmodium$
(D) Bacteriophage
A
(A), (B) and (D) only
B
(A) only
C
(A) and (C) only
D
(B) and (D) only
Detailed Solution
A vector is a DNA molecule that can carry a foreign DNA segment into a host cell and replicate there independently of the control of the chromosomal DNA.
Plasmids are autonomously replicating circular extra-chromosomal DNA molecules of bacteria; they are used as vectors.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and have a high copy number of their genome inside the bacterial cell; they are also used as vectors.
A bacterium is the host into which the vector carries the gene, not the vector itself.
$Plasmodium$ is the malarial parasite, a protozoan, and has nothing to do with cloning.
Hence only (B) and (D) can be used as vectors.
Plasmids are autonomously replicating circular extra-chromosomal DNA molecules of bacteria; they are used as vectors.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and have a high copy number of their genome inside the bacterial cell; they are also used as vectors.
A bacterium is the host into which the vector carries the gene, not the vector itself.
$Plasmodium$ is the malarial parasite, a protozoan, and has nothing to do with cloning.
Hence only (B) and (D) can be used as vectors.