Question

for a gene cloning experiment, a researcher inserts the lacz gene into a bacterial plasmid. the lacz gene encodes the enzyme β -galactosidase, which catalyzes a synthetic molecule called x - gal to form a blue product. x - gal is included in the plating medium. the restriction enzyme used by the researcher cleaves a recognition sequence within the lacz gene. why did the researcher insert the lacz gene into the plasmid? bacterial plasmid (cloning v a circular bacterial plasmid breakdown) amp^r gene (ampicillin resistance) restriction site recombinant bacteria will be blue. the lacz gene will allow the recombinant bacteria to use x - gal as a food source. recombinant bacteria cannot produce the blue product.

Explanation:

The lacZ gene is used as a reporter gene. When the restriction - enzyme cleaves the recognition sequence within the lacZ gene in the recombinant plasmid, the gene is disrupted. Non - recombinant bacteria with an intact lacZ gene will produce β - galactosidase and turn blue in the presence of X - gal. Recombinant bacteria with a disrupted lacZ gene cannot produce functional β - galactosidase and thus cannot produce the blue product, allowing for easy identification of recombinant bacteria.

Answer:

Recombinant bacteria cannot produce the blue product.