Which of the following techniques could be used to produce a yeast capable of making viral proteins?

• A. Introducing a recombinant plasmid containing the viral gene into the yeast
• B. Growing yeast in the presence of viral particles
• C. Fusing yeast cells with mammalian cells infected by the virus
• D. Exposing yeast to UV radiation to induce random mutations

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the goal: We want to produce yeast cells that can make viral proteins, which means the yeast must have the genetic information (DNA) encoding those viral proteins.
2. Evaluate each technique based on whether it introduces the viral gene into the yeast genome or allows yeast to express viral proteins:
3. 1. Introducing a recombinant plasmid containing the viral gene into the yeast: This method involves genetic engineering where a plasmid (a circular DNA molecule) carrying the viral gene is inserted into yeast cells, enabling them to produce viral proteins.
4. 2. Growing yeast in the presence of viral particles: This does not change the yeast's genetic material; yeast will not naturally take up viral genes just by being near viral particles, so it won't produce viral proteins.
5. 3. Fusing yeast cells with mammalian cells infected by the virus: Cell fusion between such different organisms is highly unlikely and not a standard method to transfer viral genes into yeast.
6. 4. Exposing yeast to UV radiation to induce random mutations: This causes random DNA changes but does not specifically introduce viral genes, so it is not a reliable way to produce viral proteins.