A transgenic mouse is produced by the injection of cloned DNA into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg, followed by implantation of the egg into a female mouse. In knockout mice, the injected DNA contains a mutation that disables a gene. Inside the mouse embryo, the disabled copy of the gene can exchange with the normal copy of the gene through homologous recombination.
-What is the advantage of using the neo gene to disrupt the function of a gene in knockout mice?
A) The neo gene produces an antibiotic that kills unwanted cells.
B) The neo gene is the right size for disabling other genes.
C) The neo gene provides a selectable marker for finding cells that contain the disabled gene.
D) The neo gene produces a toxin that inhibits transcription of the target gene.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The neo gene provides resistance to the antibiotic neomycin, allowing researchers to select for cells that have incorporated the disabled gene by surviving in a neomycin-containing environment.

A Transgenic Mouse Is Produced by the Injection of Cloned