CLONING VECTORS Meaning and
Definition
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Cloning vectors refer to the tools or vehicles used in genetic engineering and molecular biology to facilitate the copying or cloning of DNA fragments. They are essentially small, circular DNA molecules capable of self-replication, which can be utilized to introduce, amplify, or manipulate specific DNA sequences.
Cloning vectors possess several essential features that render them suitable for molecular cloning purposes. One crucial aspect is the presence of a selectable marker, which allows the identification and selection of cells containing the vector. This marker is often a gene that confers resistance to specific antibiotics, allowing researchers to grow only those bacteria carrying the desired cloning vector in the presence of the antibiotic. Additionally, some vectors may include reporter genes, allowing for easy detection and assessment of the transformed cells.
Furthermore, cloning vectors frequently contain multiple restriction sites, which are specific DNA sequences recognized by restriction enzymes. These sites enable the insertion of foreign DNA fragments into the vector. To facilitate cloning, vectors often possess an origin of replication, which ensures that the DNA is replicated within the host cell.
Different types of cloning vectors exist and serve distinct purposes. Plasmids, cosmids, bacteriophages, and artificial chromosomes are some common examples. The choice of cloning vector depends on the size of the DNA fragment to be cloned, the host organism, the desired level of DNA amplification, and other factors.
Overall, cloning vectors are indispensable tools in molecular biology and genetic engineering, enabling the replication and manipulation of DNA fragments for a range of applications, including gene expression studies, protein production, and medical research.
Common Misspellings for CLONING VECTORS
- xloning vectors
- vloning vectors
- floning vectors
- dloning vectors
- ckoning vectors
- cponing vectors
- cooning vectors
- clining vectors
- clkning vectors
- cllning vectors
- clpning vectors
- cl0ning vectors
- cl9ning vectors
- clobing vectors
- cloming vectors
- clojing vectors
- clohing vectors
- clonung vectors
- clonjng vectors
- clonkng vectors
Etymology of CLONING VECTORS
The term "cloning vectors" is composed of two separate words with distinct etymologies.
1. Cloning: The word "cloning" originates from the Greek word "klōn", which means "twig" or "branch". The term was first used in the field of genetics in 1963 by J.B.S. Haldane, referencing the process of creating genetically identical copies of an organism or gene. The word "cloning" has since become commonly used to describe various techniques in biology and genetic engineering.
2. Vectors: The word "vector" stems from Latin and has multiple meanings. In the context of cloning, a vector refers to a DNA molecule used to carry and replicate foreign genetic material within a host organism. The term "vector" is borrowed from the field of physics and denotes a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
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