Question

A scientist wants to insert a new gene into a bacterium. What is the first step in this process?

Answer 1

In an experiment, researchers first insert a piece of DNA like a gene, into a circular piece of DNA called a plasmid.

Answer 2

Answer:

The correct answer is- cutting the gene out of DNA with enzyme.

Explanation:

To insert a gene into a bacteria first the gene of interest should be cut out of the DNA sequence by the help of an enzyme called restriction endonuclease. A specific restriction endonuclease cut the gene of interest by identifying restriction site and making cut at that particular restriction site.

Then this gene of interest is ligated in a plasmid vector which have its own origin of replication and a selection marker. Then this plasmid vector having the gene of interest is transferred or inserted into bacteria by methods like heat shock, gene gun, etc. After transformation, it will express proteins in bacteria according to the gene of interest it has.

So the first step in this process is cutting the gene out of DNA with enzyme.