129. A ‘co-integrate vector’ is used to transfer cloned genes into which one of the following?
1. Yeast
2. Plants
3. Animals
4. Parasites

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Question:

A ‘co-integrate vector’ is used to transfer cloned genes into which one of the following?

1. Yeast

2. Plants

3. Animals

4. Parasites

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Correct Answer:

2. Plants

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Detailed Explanation:

A co-integrate vector is a specific type of vector used in genetic engineering, particularly for plants. Here’s why:

Co-integrate Vectors in Gene Transfer:

• A co-integrate vector is a type of plasmid vector that is commonly used for transferring cloned genes into plants.

• It contains sequences that allow for recombination with the T-DNA region of the Agrobacterium Ti plasmid, which is naturally used by Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer genetic material into plant cells.

• The co-integrate vector allows for the incorporation of foreign genes into the plant genome, typically through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, where the plant cells receive the recombinant DNA.

Why Plants?

• Agrobacterium tumefaciens has a natural ability to insert genetic material into plant cells using its Ti plasmid. The co-integrate vector system exploits this mechanism, making it easier to transfer genes into plant cells.

• The vector is designed to carry the desired gene(s) along with the necessary sequences for integration into the plant genome.

Other Organisms:

• While co-integrate vectors are used primarily in plants, similar methods are used for genetic modifications in other organisms like yeast, animals, and parasites. However, co-integrate vectors are not typically associated with these groups. For example, yeast often uses other types of vectors (e.g., plasmid-based vectors), and genetic modification in animals is often carried out using viral vectors or other methods. Parasites generally rely on different strategies for genetic manipulation.

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Conclusion:

The co-integrate vector system is mainly used for gene transfer in plants, enabling the incorporation of foreign DNA into the plant genome with the help of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This method is one of the most widely used in plant genetic engineering for the development of genetically modified crops.