Molecular cloning
Have you ever played with Legos? You can build different things by putting the blocks together in different ways. That's sort of like what scientists do when they want to make copies of a piece of DNA. DNA is the instructions that tell our bodies how to work.
Molecular cloning is a process where scientists try to make exact copies of a specific piece of DNA. They start by finding the DNA they need from a cell or organism. Then, they use enzymes (special cutters) to cut the DNA at very specific places, creating smaller pieces.
Next, they take a "vector," which is sort of like a Lego block with sticky ends. This vector is usually a small circular piece of DNA that scientists can manipulate. They make a cut in the vector DNA and then they attach the cut pieces of DNA they want to copy onto the sticky ends of the vector.
Once the DNA pieces are attached to the vector, scientists can put everything back together inside a host cell like bacteria. When the bacteria divide and make new cells, they also make copies of the vector with the attached DNA.
And just like that, the scientists have made a bunch of copies of the DNA they were interested in! These copies can be used for research, genetic testing or other scientific purposes.
Molecular cloning is a process where scientists try to make exact copies of a specific piece of DNA. They start by finding the DNA they need from a cell or organism. Then, they use enzymes (special cutters) to cut the DNA at very specific places, creating smaller pieces.
Next, they take a "vector," which is sort of like a Lego block with sticky ends. This vector is usually a small circular piece of DNA that scientists can manipulate. They make a cut in the vector DNA and then they attach the cut pieces of DNA they want to copy onto the sticky ends of the vector.
Once the DNA pieces are attached to the vector, scientists can put everything back together inside a host cell like bacteria. When the bacteria divide and make new cells, they also make copies of the vector with the attached DNA.
And just like that, the scientists have made a bunch of copies of the DNA they were interested in! These copies can be used for research, genetic testing or other scientific purposes.