Question

Two bacteria found to be very useful in genetic engineering experiments are

• A. Nitrosomonas and Klebsiella
• B. Escherichia and Agrobacterium
• C. Nitrosomonas and Azotobacter
• D. Rhizobium and Diplococcus

Answer 1

The correct option is B Escherichia and Agrobacterium

The genome of the E. coli bacteria is very simple with only 4400 genes, easy to study and understand. The ability of the bacteria to multiply dramatically producing a generation in 1200 seconds under suitable growth condition is of great help to the researchers. The first completely sequenced genome of E. coli makes the bacteria easier to use in recombinant DNA technology which involves the expression of proteins. Also, the competence of the E. coli bacteria as a host for foreign DNAs and simple laboratory procedure to cultivate and adaptability to both aerobic and anaerobic environment made the E. coli bacteria a pioneer in the field of biotechnology. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a naturally occurring bacteria found in soil that has the ability to transfer some of its own DNA to plants that it has infected. Scientists take advantage of this bacterial system and it is now used to transfer small pieces of targeted DNA (a particular gene of interest) to plants to create plants that contain the new genes

So, the correct answer is 'Escherichia and Agrobacterium'