What are transgenic bacteria? Illustrate using any one example.
Transgenic bacteria are bacteria that have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene. These are created using recombinant DNA technological processes to produce useful products.
Example: Human insulin is made in bacteria using this technology. The recombinant insulin produced in bacteria has a structure that is absolutely identical to the natural human molecule. Such recombinant therapeutics do not induce unwanted immunological responses and are free from risk of infection, unlike similar products isolated from non-human sources.
Explanation
The context defines transgenic animals as 'animals that have had their DNA manipulated to possess and express an extra (foreign) gene' - this definition can be applied to bacteria as well. The context explicitly states that 'Human insulin is made in bacteria yet its structure is absolutely identical to that of the natural molecule' which serves as a clear example of transgenic bacteria use. The context also mentions that recombinant therapeutics are safe and effective.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Define transgenic bacteria based on the definition pattern given for transgenic animals in the context
Step 2: Use the human insulin example from the context to illustrate transgenic bacteria application