could a gene from a spider be read by the protein-making apparatus of a tomato plant if a spider gene was substituted for a tomato gene?
2007-03-12 12:56:00 · 5 answers · asked by momo n 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
No, the genetic code does not vary. Yes, you can transplant a spider gene into a tomato plant and give it the ability to create a certain protein (or vice versa). It would most likely be deadly or useless, to the plant, or depending on *where* in the tomato plant DNA you inserted it, it might or might not be activated ... but DNA is DNA, and if executed during protein synthesis, it can create that protein.
2007-03-12 14:55:52 · answer #1 · answered by secretsauce 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the genetic code does not vary. The first answer you got was correct except for the yes. The genes work in both organisms because they do not vary.
The code for amino acids is universal in all organisms, which is why you could transfer a gene and get the same effect.
2007-03-12 13:04:43 · answer #2 · answered by Ashley M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. The whole area of genetic engineering shows that genes from one organism can be read and expressed by another. So, you can have bacteria expressing animal genes, animals expressing plant genes...
Bottom line, the genetic code is fundamentally universal.
2007-03-12 13:04:51 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No (edited) ... a famous example is taking the GFP (Green Flourescent Protien) from a jellyfish that glows green and putting it in mice that actually glow green like the jellyfish.
I originally typed yes because I had a brain fart I meant no...thanks for the correction Ashley M.
2007-03-12 13:01:35 · answer #4 · answered by starsun moon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, all protein reading mechanisms are capable of reading the sequence of adenine thymine cytosine and guanine
2007-03-12 13:05:47 · answer #5 · answered by shabushabu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋