Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Genetic markers are indispensable tools in recombinant DNA technology used to identify successful transformants.
Selectable markers allow the survival of transformed cells while killing non-transformed cells under selective pressure.
Scorable markers, also known as reporter genes, produce a visually detectable product that allows researchers to identify and score positive transformants without killing them.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Ampicillin, Kanamycin, and Neomycin are antibiotics commonly used in selection media.
The genes conferring resistance to these antibiotics are classic selectable markers.
Cells that fail to take up the plasmid carrying these resistance genes cannot survive in the presence of these antibiotics.
Therefore, options (A), (C), and (D) represent selectable markers.
Conversely, a scorable marker like \(\beta\)-galacturonase catalyzes a reaction with a chromogenic or fluorogenic substrate, producing a colored or fluorescent signal.
This biochemical change allows the visual confirmation of gene expression.
Other common examples of scorable markers include \(\beta\)-glucuronidase (GUS) and Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP).
By measuring or visually observing the catalytic product of \(\beta\)-galacturonase, researchers can easily confirm successful transformation.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the correct option is (B).