Question

What would happen if a plasmid without a selectable marker was chosen as a cloning vector?

Answer 1

Cloning vector:

1. Cloning vectors are small pieces for inserting foreign DNA into another cell and then making multiple copies of it for equivalents.
2. Foreign DNA is expressed and transfected using host cell machinery.
3. It amplifies one copy of DNA into multiple copies.
4. Different types of cloning vectors are plasmids, phages, phages, bacterial artificial chromosomes, and others.

Plasmids:

1. These are the main vectors used in gene cloning.
2. These vectors are found in eukaryotes, archaea, and bacteria.
3. They are extrachromosomal, self-replicating, and natural DNA molecules.
4. These vectors possess antibiotic resistance genes with high copy numbers.
5. They encode proteins necessary for their self-replication. pBR322, F plasmid, and pUC18 are some examples of plasmid vectors.

Plasmid without selectable marker:

1. If a cloned vector does not have a selectable marker, it will be impossible to distinguish between transformants (host bacteria with rDNA) and non-transformants.
2. Therefore, an ideal cloning vector should have selectable markers for the selection of transformants.