Question

Gene manipulation is a fast emerging science. It started with the development of recombinant DNA molecules. This technology which mostly involves cutting and pasting of desired DNA fragments is based on two most important discoveries in bacteria - presence of plasmid and restriction endonucleases. The science of r-DNA technology took birth when Cohen and Boyer (1973) were able to produce a piece of gene containing foreign DNA introduced into plasmid of E.coli.

(a) Name one core technique of biotechnology that alters the genetic material.

Hint:

Cutting and pasting DNA is the work of genetic engineering.

Answer 1

Step 1: Read the question:
The passage speaks of cutting and pasting DNA fragments. This points to the technique that changes the genetic material of an organism.

Step 2: Name the technique:
The core technique that alters the genetic material is genetic engineering, also called recombinant DNA technology.
Here a desired gene is cut from one source, joined to a vector and introduced into a host.

Step 3: Other core technique:
The second core technique of biotechnology is maintenance of sterile conditions for growing microbes or cells. It does not change the genetic material.

Final Answer:
Genetic engineering (recombinant DNA technology) alters the genetic material.