4) Genetic transformation involves the insertion of some new DNA into the E. col

Question

4) Genetic transformation involves the insertion of some new DNA into the E. coli cells. In addition to one large chromosome, bacteria often contain one or more plasmids. Explain the difference between genomic and plasmid DNA in bacteria in terms of structure and function. 5) An engineered plasmid can be constructed containing genes of interest. The plasmid construct we are using has both an ampicillin resistance gene and the pGLO gene for Green Fluorescent Protein. Describe what each of these genes does.

Explanation / Answer

4.)The difference between plasmid and genomic DNA is that

Genomic DNA contains all the genomic information required for the organism and for its major and basic functions of life. Moreover, Genomic DNA is transferred via heridity and is passed from one generation to next. On the basis of structure, genomic DNA is not necessarily circular and is huge in size as compared to plasmid DNA, as it contains ALL the genes responsible for an organisms functions.

Plasmid DNA is also called extrachromosomal DNA, the name itself signifies that it is extra than the chromosomal/genomic DNA. Plasmid DNA mostly contains genes that gave some speciality to the organism. They can be used as cloning vectors and they mostly contain some marker which can be antibiotic resistant marker or some flouroscence protein. In context of structure, plasmid DNA are always circular in nature.

Moreover, the extraction protocols of genomic and plasmid DNA is also different.

5.) Ampicillin resistance gene in a plasmid make the bacterial growth resistant on ampicillin plates. Which means if the bacteria containing ampicillin resistance marker plasmid grows on ampicillin positive plates, they won't be able to survie. The resistant gene markers like these are generally used to differntiate bacterias that grow and die on ampicillin plates.

pGLO gene for green flouroscent protein causes the bacteria to shine green under fluroscencent microscope if pGLO plasmid has been transformed in some bacteria.

These markers are generally used for some specific gene transformations eg if important gene A has to be transformed, it is genrally transformed in a plasmid carrying GFP, so that when the colony of bacteria is amalysed transformed bacterias can be easily picked by checking them under flouroscent microscope.

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