Question

pDNA is used in the biotechnology of ___________

Answer 1

Hint: Plasmid just contains a few genes but they make a big difference to their host cell. It has a wide use in biotechnology in target drug delivery, production of human growth hormone, insulin, degradation of organic compounds like camphor, octane.

Complete answer:
pDNA is also called plasmid dNA. It is an extra-chromosomal material found in bacteria which replicated independently of the host chromosome. They are small, circular DNA molecules that mostly exist in bacterial cells and some eukaryotes.

The possibility of linking an antibiotic resistance gene with a native Salmonella typhimurium plasmid led to the creation of the first recombinant DNA molecule. In 1972, Stannely Cohen and Herbert Boyer isolated the antibiotic resistance gene by removing a piece of DNA from a plasmid that was responsible for conferring antibiotic resistance.

It is useful to us as it carries many antibiotic resistance genes.They are not under every condition useful to the host as well. Plasmids can be constructed artificially (artificial plasmids are called vectors). They are used to introduce foreign DNA into host DNA.

1.They can be used in nitrogen fixation and nodule formation.
2.They can be used to transfer genetic information for a biochemical pathway for the degradation of organic compounds such as octane, camphor.
3. They can be used in pigment production.
4. They can be used in lactose,sucrose,and urea utilization.
5. It can be used for drug delivery to deliver , or insert the desired drug into the body such as growth hormone, insulin.

Thus, pDNA is used in the biotechnology of antibiotic resistance.

Note: The genes of the plasmid are not only required to keep the bacteria survive but they help the bacteria to overcome the occasional stressful conditions.They have been a key in molecular biotechnology. They act as delivery vehicles or vectors to introduce foreighn DNA into bacteria.