Ch. 20 - Recombinant DNA Technology

Klug - Concepts of Genetics 12th Edition

Klug12th EditionConcepts of Genetics ISBN: 9780135564776Not the one you use?Change textbook

Klug 12th Edition

Ch. 20 - Recombinant DNA Technology

Problem 23

Chapter 20, Problem 23

What is the difference between a knockout animal and a transgenic animal?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the definition of a knockout animal. A knockout animal is one in which a specific gene has been intentionally disrupted or 'knocked out' to study the effects of losing that gene's function. This is usually done by targeted gene deletion or inactivation.

Step 2: Understand the definition of a transgenic animal. A transgenic animal is one that has had foreign DNA introduced into its genome, which can include additional copies of a gene, modified genes, or genes from other species, to study gene function or produce desired traits.

Step 3: Compare the genetic modifications. In knockout animals, the focus is on removing or disabling an existing gene, whereas in transgenic animals, new genetic material is added to the genome.

Step 4: Consider the purpose of each. Knockout animals help researchers understand the role of a gene by observing what happens when it is missing, while transgenic animals are used to study gene expression, protein function, or to create models with new traits.

Step 5: Summarize the key difference. The main distinction lies in the type of genetic alteration: knockout animals have genes removed or inactivated, and transgenic animals have new genes inserted.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

31s

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Knockout Animal

A knockout animal is genetically engineered to have one or more specific genes completely disabled or 'knocked out.' This is done to study the function of that gene by observing the effects of its absence on the organism's traits or development.

Transgenic Animal

A transgenic animal contains foreign DNA that has been deliberately inserted into its genome. This added gene can come from the same or different species and is used to study gene function, produce proteins, or model diseases.

Genetic Engineering Techniques

Genetic engineering involves methods like gene targeting for knockouts and gene insertion for transgenics. Understanding these techniques helps differentiate how specific genes are removed or added to create knockout or transgenic animals.

Recommended video:

Guided course

11:43

The Genetic Code

Related Practice

Textbook Question

We usually think of enzymes as being most active at around 37°C, yet in PCR the DNA polymerase is subjected to multiple exposures of relatively high temperatures and seems to function appropriately at 65–75°C. What is special about the DNA polymerase typically used in PCR?

520

views

Textbook Question

Traditional Sanger sequencing has largely been replaced in recent years by next-generation and third-generation sequencing approaches. Describe advantages of these sequencing methods over first-generation Sanger sequencing.

520

views

Textbook Question

How is fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) used to produce a spectral karyotype?

823

views

Textbook Question

One complication of making a transgenic animal is that the transgene may integrate at random into the coding region, or the regulatory region, of an endogenous gene. What might be the consequences of such random integrations? How might this complicate genetic analysis of the transgene?

658

views

Textbook Question

When disrupting a mouse gene by knockout, why is it desirable to breed mice until offspring homozygous (−/−) for the knockout target gene are obtained?

476

views

Textbook Question

What techniques can scientists use to determine if a particular transgene has been integrated into the genome of an organism?

591

views