Bacterial Gene Transfer

What is transformation?

• The use of viruses to transform or genetically engineer cells.

• The measure of how well cells are transformed in a new phenotype.

• The insertion of a plasmid with a foreign gene into a bacterial cell which results in new acquired traits.

• Genetic engineering or transformation of mammalian cells.

When fragments of DNA are connected from different sources, this creates:

• A plasmid

• A clone

• Recombinant DNA

• Fragmented DNA

Bacterial DNA that is often circular or in the shape of a ring is called a:

• Clone

• Plasmid

• Fragment

• Recombinant DNA

Crops are often genetically engineered for improved traits. Such crops and organisms are called:

• Genetically modified organisms

• Clones

• Transformed

• Nutritionally improved

DNA can be cut with

• ligase

• helicase

• restriction enzymes

• DNA scissors

Cells are made competent (ready to be transformed) by

• The incubation of the bacteria at 95C

• A process that uses calcium chloride.

• A process that uses GFP

• A process that uses polymerases

Heat shock

• Trap the plasmids inside the cell.

• Creates a temperature gradient, that allows the plasmid to move from into the bacteria through the enlarged pores of the cell membrane.

• Provides for the death of the cell.

• Increases the disintegration of the cell wall.

What is the purpose of the recovery period after heat shock during bacterial transformation?

• allows the bacteria to repair its membrane

• allows the bacteria to take up the plasmid DNA

• lets the bacteria get used to the temperature at which it will grow

• lets the bacteria start to produce the product of the antibiotic resistance gene

A cell becomes competent when this happens:

• The formed plasmid is inserted into the cell.

• The gene of interest is turned on.

• Super coiled molecules are formed in the plasmid of the cell.

• There's a change in the structure and permeability of the cell membrane.

How might a plasmid contribute to a selective advantage for a bacterial cell?

• Make the cell competent.

• Could provide a selective advantage for that cell.

• Make the cell wall stronger.

• Does not contribute