Bacterial Transformation

Plasmid

A small, round bacterial DNA molecule.

Origin of replication

A DNA sequence that allows replication of the plasmid.

Restriction site

The region where the plasmid is cut and opened by restriction enzymes to insert the gene.

Promoter

A DNA sequence that initiates transcription of the gene.

Gene

The desired gene inserted into the plasmid.

Antibiotic resistance

A feature that selects bacteria containing plasmids.

Recombinant DNA

DNA made from cutting a gene from one organism and joining it into the DNA of another organism.

Transformation

The process when a cell takes in DNA from outside and that DNA becomes part of the cell’s DNA.

LB nutrient agar/broth

A broth with nutrients used to grow bacteria.

Ampicillin

An antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

Arabinose

A five-carbon sugar used to treat diabetes and obesity.

Red fluorescent protein

Genetically encoded markers that emit red light to locate proteins.

Competent cells

Bacteria treated to modify their cell membranes and take up DNA for cloning, protein expression, etc.

Colony of bacteria

A visible cluster of microorganisms.

Lawn of bacteria

A dense and uniform layer of bacteria.