Question

a researcher is preparing to insert a human gene of interest into a bacterial plasmid in order to clone the human gene. she has genetically engineered the plasmid to carry a gene ampr, which confers resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin. she will include ampicillin in the plating medium when she grows the recombinant bacteria. why has she engineered the plasmid to include an antibiotic resistance gene? choose the best answer. recombinant bacteria that have taken up the plasmid are vulnerable to infection and require antibiotic resistance. recombinant bacteria that have taken up the plasmid can be recognized because they are able to survive in the presence of ampicillin. recombinant bacteria that have taken up the plasmid can be recognized because the antibiotic resistance gene produces a blue color.

Explanation:

Antibiotic - resistance genes in plasmids are used as selectable markers. Bacteria that take up the plasmid with the antibiotic - resistance gene can survive in the presence of the corresponding antibiotic, while those that don't take up the plasmid cannot. This allows researchers to identify and select the recombinant bacteria.

Answer:

Recombinant bacteria that have taken up the plasmid can be recognized because they are able to survive in the presence of ampicillin.