Question
  1. Why must bacterial cells be first made 'competent' in rDNA technology? How is the process carried out?
  2. Name the methods by which an alien DNA can be made to enter:
  1. A plant cell.
  2. An animal cell.

Answer

  1.  
  1. DNA is a hydrophilic molecule that cannot pass through cell membrane; so the bacterial cells must be made competent to take up the DNA.
  2. The bacterial cells are made competent by treating them with a specific concentration of a divalent cation, such as calcium; this increases the efficiency with which DNA enters the bacterium.
  1.  
  1. Biolistics/ Gene gun.
  2. Micro-injection.

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