What is the major difference between green fluorescent protein and an antibiotic resistance gene in terms of their usefulness as a reporter gene?
A) The green fluorescent protein can be used only when the host cell is a plant cell because it relies on the process of photosynthesis.
B) The antibiotic resistance gene can be used only when the host cell is an animal cell.
C) The green fluorescent protein can be used only in transfection,not in transformation.
D) With the green fluorescent protein,no cells are killed in the selection process.
E) Homologous recombination will work only with the green fluorescent protein.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Antibiotic resistance genes are useful as reporter genes because they allow for selection of transformed cells that have incorporated the gene. However, this process involves killing non-transformed cells that are sensitive to the antibiotic. In contrast, the green fluorescent protein allows for selection of transformed cells by fluorescent microscopy, without the need for killing non-transformed cells.

What Is the Major Difference Between Green Fluorescent Protein and an Antibiotic