Question

List the key tools used in recombinant DNA technology.

Answer 1

Hint: The term DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is considered as the genetic material of an organism. Joining of two different DNA molecules of two different species is called recombinant DNA technology. This method is used to alter the genetic material of an organism.

Complete answer: The phenotype of a host organism can be altered through a genetically altered vector by a process called recombinant DNA technology. The cloning vector is inserted and integrated into the genome of the organism. In simple terms, recombinant DNA technology involves the insertion of the foreign DNA into the genome of host organisms which contains our gene of interest.
The various tools included in recombinant DNA technology are enzymes, vectors and the host organism. Following are the steps involved in recombinant DNA technology. The gene, that is a section of DNA which is to be inserted needs to be isolated first. The DNA of host organisms is cleaved at recognition sites using restriction enzymes called endonuclease. The desired DNA fragment is isolated. The gene which is to be inserted is amplified. The desired gene is integrated into the vector using DNA ligase and recombinant DNA is formed. This recombinant DNA or rDNA is inserted into the host. The host cells are cultured on a suitable medium on a large scale and the desired product is extracted.

Note: A restriction site is also called a restriction recognition site. Recombinant DNA technology is also called genetic engineering. The discovery of recombinant DNA technology emerged along with the discovery of restriction enzymes in the year 1968 by Swiss microbiologist Werner Arber.