Introduction
A plasmid represents a form of DNA, which is circular in shape usually occurring as a means for transferring genes. It exists indifferent to the chromosomes and exhibits independent replication. For instance, in the case of bacteria, the plasmids usually contain information that makes the bacteria to achieve resistance to antibiotics. Its transfer to other cells occurs in either conjugation or transduction form. It normally forms an integral part of the bacterial transformation process. They are used to carry the desired genes to organism, which help the organism to survive some harsh conditions. In this experiment the plasmid E coli was forced to take up the plasmid containing resistant gene, which could help to ensure that the bacteria achieve optimal survival. Transformation represents the process by which a cell of an organism takes up a DNA molecule carrying genes followed by incorporating it to its own genome. Transformation always occurs in bacteria which changes in their gene composition in order to survive certain circumstances. The replication of the foreign DNA into the host cell only occurs when the DNA of the host cell recognizes the origin of the foreign DNA (Casali & Preston, 2003). The uptake of DNA containing resistant genes plays role in genetic engineering making the scientists to manipulate the features of the cell they would like to alter. This is because the transformation allows for the placing of recombinant DNA into the subject cell.
Biotechnology refers to the action of deliberate modification of cell components in order to produce products that are more useful. It is always controlled and deliberated with the main characters being DNA being transferred from one cell to the other. Biotechnology is used in manufacturing industry in manipulation of the component of a cell during the production process. For instance, grey biotech involves the introduction of bacteria to treat metals in a more efficient way. Some industries also make use of bacteria in order to produce chemicals that would complement the industrial production processes. Biotechnology has also taken part in medical industries whereby there is manipulation of yeasts in order to yield drugs that would be possible to create through the normal production process. The medical biotechnology may also involve the modification of the subject’s genome in order to achieve a cure for a disease. The use of biotechnology for medicinal value falls under the red biotech. Another use of biotechnology is in green biotech whereby there is modification of plants in order to increase the yield. The increased yield by the modification occurs as the result of increased resistance of the plant to pest and diseases (Tkacz & Lange, 2004). This results to the famous genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which have helped many third world nations in fighting hunger.
Ampicillin is a form of antibiotic, which helps in fighting against most of the bacterial infection through killing the bacteria. It is in the penicillin family hence its properties in killing bacteria. It acts through preventing the cell wall synthesis through associating with at least one penicillin binding protein (PBPs) which will in turn prevents the biosynthesis of the cell wall (Scholar & Pratt, 2000). This action leads to the eventual lysis of the bacteria due to the presence of autolytic enzymes arising from the presence of the ampicillin. LB Broth acts as a rich nutritional medium that allows for the growth of bacteria. It is especially used to maintain E coli bacteria during most of the microbiology procedures; otherwise, there would be no growth of E coli. It helps in growth exhibited in the pure culture associated with recombinant straints (Jain, 2011).
Reference
Jain, K. K. (2011). Applications of biotechnology in cardiovascular therapeutics. New York: Humana Press.
Casali, N., & Preston, A. (2003). E. coli plasmid vectors: Methods and applications. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.
Scholar, E. M., & Pratt, W. B. (2000). The antimicrobial drugs. Oxford [u.a.: Oxford Univ. Press.
Tkacz, J. S., & Lange, L. (2004). Advances in fungal biotechnology for industry, agriculture, and medicine. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
