Question

When a foreign DNA is introduced into an organism, how is it maintained in the host and how is it transferred to the progeny of the organism?

Answer 1

Foreign gene is usually ligated to a plasmid vector and introduced into the host. As plasmid replicates and makes multiple copies of itself, so does the foreign gene gets replicated and its copies are made. When the host organism divides, its progeny also receives the plasmid DNA containing the foreign gene.