Question

What are the 2 most commonly used vectors?

Answer 1

Two commonly used vectors:

1. A vector is a DNA molecule (typically a plasmid or a virus) used in molecular biology to transport a specific DNA segment into a host cell as part of a cloning or recombinant DNA process.
2. Plasmids and bacteriophages are the two most used forms of vectors.

Plasmid:

1. A plasmid is a type of double-stranded, circular, tiny DNA molecule that differs from a cell's chromosomal DNA.
2. Both bacterial and certain eukaryotic cells naturally contain plasmids.
3. Plasmids frequently carry genes that give bacteria genetic benefits like antibiotic resistance.
4. Plasmids are crucial for bacterial evolution and adaptability to the environment because they contain genes that confer advantageous characteristics on the bacterial cell.
5. Plasmids of many sorts can coexist in the same bacterial cell.

Bacteriophage:

1. Bacteriophage vectors are made up of an almost entirely complete phage genome, frequently the M13 phage, into which DNA encoding the desired protein or peptide has been introduced.
2. The additional gene products required for the phage life cycle are often provided by the remaining portion of the phage genome, which is typically kept unaltered.
3. The following are the reasons why bacteria phages are superior to plasmids as a vector:
   1. They can replicate a pretty big DNA segment (24 kbp)
   2. Every bacteriophage creates a single plaque region in the culture, making testing quite simple.