The genetic code can be described as universal.
Explain the meaning of this.
The universal nature of the genetic code as described in part a) is extremely useful in recombinant DNA technology (also known as genetic engineering).
Part of the genetic engineering process is shown in Figure 1 below.
Figure 1
The enzymes used at the locations marked X in Figure 1 are known as restriction endonucleases.
Explain why restriction endonucleases are useful in the process shown in Figure 1.
Name another enzyme that would be needed to finish inserting the gene of interest into the plasmid vector shown in Figure 1.
Restriction endonucleases are one way of obtaining fragments of DNA for research. Another method is to use an enzyme called reverse transcriptase which produces DNA fragments, known specifically as cDNA.
Describe how reverse transcriptase enzymes can be used to produce cDNA.
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