In Recombinant DNA technology antibiotics are used:

In Recombinant DNA technology antibiotics are used:

  1. To keep medium bacteria-free
  2. To detect alien DNA
  3. As selectable markers
  4. Both (B) and (C)

Solution

Selectable marker: Helps in identifying and eliminating non-transformants and selectively permitting the growth of the transformants. Normally, the genes encoding resistance to antibiotics such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline or kanamycin, etc., are considered useful selectable markers for E.coli. 

During the screening, it helps in differentiating the cells that have alien DNA or gene of interest.

*Note: There was ambiguity in options in the original paper, hence the options are changed.

Asked in: NEET 2020 (Phase 2)

Practice more Biotechnology - Principles and Processes questions on Aicharya