Only a segment of DNA which originated in a living organism can be used as a transgene.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only segments of RNA can be used
• D. Transgenes can only come from animals

Answer: (B)

A transgene is a DNA sequence that researchers insert into another organism to be expressed. Its origin isn’t restricted to DNA from living organisms; it can come from any source, including bacteria, plants, viruses, or even be synthetically synthesized. What matters is that the sequence is a defined DNA fragment with the gene and regulatory elements that will be expressed in the host. So, the statement that a transgene must originate in a living organism is not accurate. The other choices are off because transgenes are not limited to RNA (they are DNA) and are not limited to animals as sources.