Which statement best describes recombinant DNA technology?

Which statement best describes recombinant DNA technology?

• A. It copies a gene exactly as it exists in one organism
• B. It uses RNA to express proteins in the host cell
• C. It combines DNA from different sources to create new sequences
• D. It cannot be used to produce proteins

Answer: (C)

Recombinant DNA technology centers on joining DNA from different sources to create new sequences. This lets scientists splice a gene of interest into a DNA vector and introduce it into a host organism to produce a protein or study gene function. That idea is best captured by the description of combining DNA from different sources to create new sequences. Copying a gene exactly as it exists describes cloning rather than creating new DNA combinations. Using RNA to express proteins involves transcription and translation processes, not the DNA-level recombination central to this technology. And stating it cannot be used to produce proteins is incorrect, since many therapies and industrial proteins are made by expressing recombinant genes in cells.

Recombinant DNA technology centers on joining DNA from different sources to create new sequences. This lets scientists splice a gene of interest into a DNA vector and introduce it into a host organism to produce a protein or study gene function. That idea is best captured by the description of combining DNA from different sources to create new sequences.

Copying a gene exactly as it exists describes cloning rather than creating new DNA combinations. Using RNA to express proteins involves transcription and translation processes, not the DNA-level recombination central to this technology. And stating it cannot be used to produce proteins is incorrect, since many therapies and industrial proteins are made by expressing recombinant genes in cells.