"Bacterial Artificial Chromosome" is a scientific term used in the field of genetics, which is pronounced as /bækˈtɪəriəl ɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl ˈkroʊməsoʊm/. It is a complex term that comprises four words, each having a unique phonetic sound. The word "bacterial" is pronounced as /bækˈtɪəriəl/, "artificial" as /ɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl/, "chromosome" as /ˈkroʊməsoʊm/, and "bacterial artificial chromosome" as /bækˈtɪəriəl ɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl ˈkroʊ
Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) refers to a type of cloning vector used in genetic engineering and molecular biology. It is an artificially generated piece of DNA that can carry and replicate a large amount of foreign DNA, typically of up to 300 kilobases. BACs are primarily utilized as tools for carrying and studying the genetic information of organisms, including complex genomes such as those of higher organisms like mammals.
Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes are derived from the F-plasmid found in bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli (E. coli). These vectors are engineered to include an origin of replication, selectable markers, and other necessary elements for bacterial replication. BACs are generally maintained as bacterial plasmids and can be easily manipulated and propagated within Escherichia coli.
The key advantage of using BACs is their ability to carry larger DNA fragments compared to other commonly used cloning vectors, such as plasmids. This makes them an indispensable tool for mapping and sequencing complex genomes, as well as studying gene function and regulation. BACs also allow for the introduction of modified DNA constructs into living organisms, enabling researchers to study gene expression, cellular processes, and other fundamental biological activities.
In summary, Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes are artificially created DNA vectors that can be used to introduce, replicate, and study large fragments of foreign DNA within bacteria. Their versatility and capacity for carrying extensive genetic information make them essential tools in genetic engineering, molecular biology, and genome research.