A bacterial cell usually contains a single loop of DNA that is located in the cytoplasm of the cell and is not surrounded by a nuclear membrane. Some bacteria have additional loops of DNA called plasmids. Plasmids can be used for genetic engineering because DNA from other organisms can be spliced into a plasmid loop. For example, scientists in the late 20th century discovered a way to insert the portion of human DNA that codes for the protein insulin into the plasmid of E. coli bacteria. Which statement best explains why these genetically modified bacteria have been useful to society?

Question

Biology

Mckenzie Webster

7 September, 18:42

A bacterial cell usually contains a single loop of DNA that is located in the cytoplasm of the cell and is not surrounded by a nuclear membrane. Some bacteria have additional loops of DNA called plasmids. Plasmids can be used for genetic engineering because DNA from other organisms can be spliced into a plasmid loop. For example, scientists in the late 20th century discovered a way to insert the portion of human DNA that codes for the protein insulin into the plasmid of E. coli bacteria. Which statement best explains why these genetically modified bacteria have been useful to society?

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Rohan Johnston · Answer 1

They can be used to genetically modify organisms, such as the first GMO food, the Flavr Savr Tomato. It was injected with plasmids from modified bacteria in order to give the tomato a much longer shelf life and not spoil. There are much more useful applications for this, such as potentially stopping cancer cells from replicating and multiplying within someone's body, or to make corn grow faster with bigger yields. In the future, it could be the answer to the problem of the quick expansion of our population.