Biology : PU-CET (U.G) 2016 Panjab University Entrance Exam With Answers

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19.

Which Of The Following Characteristics Is Undesirable In Cloning Vectors ?

A: Readily Isolated From Cells
B: High Copy Number
C: Vulnerable At Several Sites To A Restriction Enzyme
D: Small In Size

The answer is: C

Explanation

C: Vulnerable At Several Sites To A Restriction Enzyme.

Cloning vectors are DNA molecules that are used to carry foreign DNA fragments into host cells, where they can be replicated and manipulated. They are designed to have certain desirable characteristics, such as high copy number, small size, and the ability to be readily isolated from cells. However, the presence of multiple sites that are vulnerable to a restriction enzyme is an undesirable characteristic in cloning vectors.

Restriction enzymes are enzymes that cut DNA at specific sites, and they are commonly used in molecular biology techniques to manipulate DNA fragments. If a cloning vector has multiple sites that are vulnerable to a particular restriction enzyme, it may be cleaved at multiple locations, resulting in fragmentation and loss of the foreign DNA fragment. Therefore, cloning vectors should be designed to have minimal or no sites that are vulnerable to the most commonly used restriction enzymes in molecular biology.