CBSE · Class 12 · Biology · Biotechnology: Principles and ProcessesWhat is the significance of the 'ori' site in a plasmid vector?
Step-by-Step Solution
The origin of replication, commonly abbreviated as 'ori', is a specific nucleotide sequence within a plasmid vector where DNA replication is successfully initiated. This region is critically responsible for controlling the copy number of the linked foreign DNA insert inside the host cell. Without a functional 'ori' site, the recombinant plasmid cannot duplicate independently when the host cell divides, rendering stable inheritance and maintenance of the foreign gene impossible.
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