What organism is used typically in genetic engineering?

Why is this organism frequently used in generic engineering?

• The organism shown is frequently used in genetic engineering because http://usatestprep.com/modules/gallery/files/8/888/888.jpg A)its DNA is single stranded. B)it has a complex single chromosome. C)it has a simple, circular chromosome. D)it has only twenty, complex chromosomes.

• Answer:

  The diagram is of e.coli. and option A B and D are not even true for it. The answer is C because it is the only condition satisfied by E.Coli. You can check this in the diagram at this page http://www.bookrags.com/research/chromosome-prokaryotic-gen-01/ BUT the real reason why e.coli. is used is not this (option C is only a property of e.coli. and not the biggest reason of why e.coli. are our guinea pigs of *Genetic field) REAL REASON : Escherichia coli, a prokaryotic organism without a nuclear membrane, is a representative living material often used in laboratories and classrooms. E. coli reproduces rapidly (under optimal situation 0.5 hr/generation) such that results for a number of experiments can be quickly obtained. E. coli's ability to take up exogenous genetic material under the procedure known as DNA-mediated cell transformation has also made it a popular model for studies using recombinant DNA. Using recombinant DNA techniques, E. coli can be manipulated in research laboratories and in the classroom to produce any DNA, RNA or protein of interest. Also, it is easy to manipulate both genetically and biochemically. Most importantly, it shares fundamental characteristics, such as DNA and messenger RNA, with all other organisms. The value of E. coli in recombinant DNA makes it a good model organism for students to study the genetic material.