Question

What is a recombinant plasmid?

Answer 1

Answer:

DNA plasmid that contains both "old" and "new" gene segments and confers new characteristics to the organism in which it is placed.

Explanation:

During the genetic engineering procedure, which aims at producing an organism with better and desirable characteristics, a DNA called PLASMID is usually used to convey the gene of interest into the organism.

A plasmid is a self-replicating extra-chromosomal DNA found in the bacterial genome. The plasmid becomes a RECOMBINANT PLASMID when a foreign DNA of interest is inserted into it, in order to act as a vector (carrier). Therefore, a recombinant plasmid is a DNA plasmid that contains both "old" i.e bacterial genome and "new" i.e foreign gene segments and confers new characteristics to the organism in which it is placed.