Which technique is used to insert recombinant DNA into the nucleus of…

The correct answer is Option (4) → Microinjection

Option (1) Gene gun — Incorrect. In the gene gun (biolistics) method, cells are bombarded with gold or tungsten particles coated with DNA. It is the method suited to plants.

Option (2) Insertion push — Incorrect. There is no such method.

Option (3) Ligation — Incorrect. Ligation is the joining of DNA fragments by DNA ligase to make recombinant DNA; it does not put DNA into a cell.

Option (4) Microinjection — Correct. In micro-injection the recombinant DNA is injected directly into the nucleus of an animal cell with a fine needle. This is how foreign DNA is put into animal cells.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 22-05-2026 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
Cloning Vectors – “… Recombinant DNA can then be forced into such cells by incubating the cells with recombinant DNA on ice, followed by placing them briefly at 420C (heat shock), and then putting them back on ice. This enables the bacteria to take up the recombinant DNA. This is not the only way to introduce alien DNA into host cells. In a method known as micro-injection, recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell.”