5.13a Recombinant DNA

Key Points:
1. The image above represents a plasmid. Plasmids are found in bacterial cells, and they are a ring of DNA. Don't carry very many genes.
2. The diagram on the right shows a virus. Virus has a protein shell called a capsid, and inside there will be either DNA or RNA. No other cellular components.
3. The third diagram shows a human chromosome, this is a length of DNA. Chromosome is made of DNA. A gene picked, this one is a code for insulin.
4. The restriction enzyme is chosen and this will cut out the gene for insulin. Having cut the gene, a plasmid will also be cut with the same restriction enzyme. This leaves the plasmid looking like a broken circle.
5. The next stage is to introduce the human insulin gene. The gene will be inserted into the plasmid and this will be completed by adding a DNA ligase which will join the DNA onto the plasmid.

This combination is known as recombinent DNA.