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Question

A plant pathogenic bacteria which is widely used in genetic engineering of plants is

A
Escherichia coli
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B
Thermus aquaticus
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C
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
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D
Retrovirus
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Solution

The correct option is C Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a bacterial plant pathogen which carries the Ti (tumor inducing) Plasmid. The plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA, generally circular and can replicate itself. The T-DNA segment of the Ti plasmid integrates itself into the plant cell’s genome to induce tumour formation. This characteristic of the plasmid is used to transfer the gene of interest in the plant cell.

The T-DNA segment of the Ti Plasmid is genetically modified to carry foreign DNA and transferring the gene of interest into the plant cell. Thus, Ti plasmid is used as a vector in plant genetic engineering.

Escherichia coli is the most commonly found coliform bacteria in our gut. These bacteria are generally used as host cells for cloning of recombinant DNA during genetic engineering.

Thermus aquaticus is a thermophilic bacteria which can tolerate very high temperatures. The DNA Polymerase enzyme isolated from Thermus aquaticus is thermostable and does not denature even at a temperature of 98oC and used in DNA amplification techniques known as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This enzyme is known as Taq Polymerase.

Taq Polymerase is widely used in the extension step of Polymerase Chain Reaction where it adds deoxyribonucleotides to the 3’ end of the RNA primer.

Retroviruses are a group of viruses that have RNA as their genetic material. Upon infecting a cell, the retroviruses make a DNA copy of their genetic material and this DNA gets incorporated into the host cell’s genome (entire genetic material of the organism). Some varieties of retroviruses can cause fatal diseases like AIDS. Sometimes retroviruses are used as vectors for carrying foreign genes into animal cells.

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