What is the most logical sequence of steps for splicing foreign DNA into a plasmid and inserting the plasmid into a bacterium? I. Transform bacteria with recombinant DNA molecule. II. Cut the plasmid DNA using restriction enzymes. III. Extract plasmid DNA from bacterial cells. IV. Hydrogen-bond the plasmid DNA to nonplasmid DNA fragments. V. Use ligase to seal plasmid DNA to nonplasmid DNA. A) I, II, IV, III, V B) II, III, V, IV, I C) III, II, IV, V, I D) III, IV, V, I, II E) IV, V, I, II, III

DNA cloning is the process of making multiple copies of a DNA fragment. Normally, the process involves inserting the DNA fragment of interest into a circular fragment of bacterial DNA called plasmid. Plasmids are small segments of extrachromosomal DNA, which can be used as a tool to transfer and manipulate genes. Because of this, the first logical step is to obtain the plasmid, by extracting it from the bacterial cells. Then, the plasmid must be cut at specific sites through restriction enzymes to insert the non-plasmid DNA fragment, which will be attached by complementing its bases through hydrogen bonds. However, the DNA molecule is not stable enough until ligase enzymes seal the sugar-phosphate backbone of the DNA. Finally, a bacterial plasmid with an external DNA fragment is obtained, this is called recombinant DNA, which can be introduced into bacteria (such as E. coli) through the transformation process, where the bacterial cells undergo a thermal or electrical shock that induces bacteria to incorporate recombinant DNA.