What Do Competent Cells Do

Question

What do competent cells do?
A) resist transfection by a viral vector
B) rejoin DNA strands without the aid of DNA ligase
C) utilize transposons as a vector
D) take up DNA from the external environment

Accepted Answer

Competent cells are able to take up DNA from the external environment through a process called transformation. This ability makes them useful for genetic engineering techniques such as the introduction of foreign genes or the creation of knockout organisms. Competent cells do not resist transfection by a viral vector nor do they rejoin DNA strands without the aid of DNA ligase. They also do not utilize transposons as a vector.