Which of the following types of information would be most useful in an effort to move a DNA fragment from one plasmid vector to another, using molecular cloning techniques?

Question

A.  DNA fingerprint data
B.  sequence of PCR primers
C.  data from cloning of Dolly the sheep
D.  restriction maps of the plasmids

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?

  Gather Content
· What do you already know about molecular cloning techniques?

  Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?

  Choose Answer · Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
 

Answer 1

D.  restriction maps of the plasmids

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o This question addresses molecular cloning.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o This question is asking you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
· What key words does the question contain and what do they mean?
        o A DNA fragment is a small piece of DNA.
        o A plasmid vector is the circular piece of DNA used to grow DNA in bacteria.
        o Molecular cloning techniques are those used to cut, paste, and amplify DNA in bacteria.

  Gather Content
· What do you already know about molecular cloning techniques?
        o Molecular cloning involves cutting and pasting pieces of DNA, using enzymes such as restriction enzymes.

  Consider Possibilities
· Consider the different answer options. Which can you rule out?
        o Would DNA fingerprint data help you to move DNA from one plasmid to another? No, because that is used to match DNA samples at a crime scene, not in cloning.
        o Would the sequence of PCR primers help you to move DNA from one plasmid to another? No, because normally you would cut the DNA, not PCR it when re-cloning into a new plasmid.
        o Would data from cloning of Dolly the sheep help you to move DNA from one plasmid to another? No, because that is a different type of cloning.

  Choose Answer · Given what you now know, what information and/or problem solving approach is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Would restriction maps of the plasmids help you to move DNA from one plasmid to another? Yes, because that would show you what options you have to cut out the DNA from the old plasmid, and how to cut the new plasmid to accept the DNA.
 
Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked what data would be needed to clone a DNA from one plasmid into another.         o The question required you to take what you already know and apply it to this unfamiliar situation.
        o Did you recognize that moving the DNA would require cutting it with restriction enzymes?
        o Did you realize that plasmids have different restriction sites, so to know your options you would need the map?