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The diagram shows an example of a plasmid used in cloning below:  - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 26 - 2015 - Paper 1
Question 26
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The diagram shows an example of a plasmid used in cloning below: . Explain how the arcC and gfp genes are utilized in this plasmid... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows an example of a plasmid used in cloning below:  - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 26 - 2015 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how the arcC gene is utilized in this plasmid.
Answer
The arcC gene in this plasmid serves as a regulatory element that influences the expression of the downstream genes. It is responsible for responding to specific environmental conditions, such as the presence or absence of certain sugars.
In the context of arabinose, arcC plays a crucial role in promoting or inhibiting the transcription of the gfp gene, depending on the concentrations of arabinose in the environment.
Step 2
Explain how the gfp gene is utilized in this plasmid.
Answer
The gfp gene encodes for the Green Fluorescent Protein, which serves as a reporter gene in cloning applications. When expressed, it produces a green fluorescence that can be easily detected.
This gene allows researchers to monitor the success of the cloning process by visually confirming the presence of the inserted DNA, making it a valuable tool in molecular biology.
Step 3
Discuss the role of arabinose in the cloning process.
Answer
Arabinose acts as an inducer in the context of this plasmid. When arabinose is present, it binds to the regulatory proteins associated with the arcC gene, leading to the activation of the gfp gene.
This induction allows for controlled expression of the gfp protein, and thus the cloning process can be monitored efficiently by measuring fluorescence, which provides insight into whether the plasmid has been successfully taken up by the host cells.