CAIE A Level Biology 9700 · Genetic technology
A research team has isolated a cDNA copy of the human lactoferrin gene. They plan to insert this gene into a plasmid and transform yeast cells to produce the lactoferrin protein. Outline why the team must include a promoter in the recombinant DNA construct, and describe how they could confirm that the lactoferrin gene is being expressed in the transformed yeast cells using a marker gene coding for a fluorescent protein.
4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Outline means: Give the main points briefly. Less detail than describe, but every key step has to be there. One short line per step, in order. The marks are for coverage, not depth.
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