Question 71

(Multiple Choice)

Use the following information to answer the questions below.
Spider silk is one of the strongest biomolecules known.It has a tensile strength greater than Kevlar and elasticity greater than rubber.Attempts to "farm" spiders have met with little success (they tend to eat each other).Researchers have identified the gene responsible for the formation of the silk.
-Researchers have successfully inserted this gene into goats.These "spidergoats" live a normal life.The silk protein is expressed and extracted from their milk.This is quite controversial; why not manufacture the silk from E.coli?


A)E) coli cannot be transformed.
B)Spiders are eukaryotic and their genes must be inserted into another eukaryote.
C)The silk protein would be mixed with other protein products in E. coli.
D)The sheer volume of protein extracted from milk makes it more economical.
E)Goats are more closely related to spiders than bacteria.

Answer