Question

It is required to distinguish between the cells that have taken up the vector and that have not. It is done by using __________

(a) multiple cloning site

(b) origin of replication

(c) high copy number

(d) selectable marker

The question was posed to me by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

This interesting question is from Vectors topic in chapter Simple Cloning of Genetic Engineering

Answer 1

Correct choice is (d) selectable marker

To explain: Whether the cell has taken up the vector or not is distinguished by using a selectable marker. A selectable marker often used is the ampcillin resistance property. Cells having the plasmid or vector show resistance against ampicillin.