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Which one of the following is used as vector for cloning genes into higher organisms?
A
Retrovirus
B
Baculovirus
C
$Salmonella\ typhimurium$
D
$Rhizopus\ nigricans$
Detailed Solution
Retroviruses in animals have the natural ability to transform normal cells into cancerous cells by inserting their genetic material into the host genome.
This ability has been put to use: retroviruses have been disarmed (their disease-causing genes removed) and are now used to deliver desirable genes into animal cells.
In the same way, the Ti plasmid of $Agrobacterium\ tumefaciens$ is used for plants.
Baculovirus is an insect pathogen used as a biocontrol agent, $Salmonella\ typhimurium$ is a bacterium and $Rhizopus\ nigricans$ is a fungus; they are not used as cloning vectors for higher organisms.
Hence the vector is the retrovirus.
This ability has been put to use: retroviruses have been disarmed (their disease-causing genes removed) and are now used to deliver desirable genes into animal cells.
In the same way, the Ti plasmid of $Agrobacterium\ tumefaciens$ is used for plants.
Baculovirus is an insect pathogen used as a biocontrol agent, $Salmonella\ typhimurium$ is a bacterium and $Rhizopus\ nigricans$ is a fungus; they are not used as cloning vectors for higher organisms.
Hence the vector is the retrovirus.