When cloning a gene, one of the steps is to use restriction enzymes to insert the gene of interest into a vector. If you separated the empty vector (the vector without the gene of interest)and the cloned vector (the vector that has the gene of interest added)using agarose gel electrophoresis, what do you expect to observe on the agarose gel if both vectors are loaded at the same position at the top of the gel?
A)The empty vector would migrate farther down than the cloned vector.
B)The cloned vector would migrate farther down than the cloned vector.
C)The empty vector would migrate the same distance as the cloned vector.
D)It is impossible to know without knowing the identity of the gene of interest.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Restriction enzymes used to insert the gene of interest would have cut the empty vector at specific sites which will affect its size and migration rate. Therefore, the cloned vector is expected to be larger in size due to the addition of the gene of interest, making it migrate slower and appear higher on the gel. The empty vector would migrate farther down the gel since it is smaller in size without the insert.

When Cloning a Gene, One of the Steps Is to Use