Transgenesis terminology: An animal that acquires and stably integrates foreign DNA, resulting in new heritable genetic information, is called what?

Introduction / Context:
Creating animals that carry foreign genes enables functional genomics, disease modeling, and biotechnology (e.g., therapeutic protein production). When the introduced DNA integrates into the germ line and can be passed to offspring, the organism is termed transgenic. This distinguishes it from transient expression or mosaic chimeras.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Foreign DNA is integrated into the genome (often randomly or via targeted insertion).
• Integration occurs in cells that contribute to the germ line.
• The new trait or marker can be inherited by progeny.

Concept / Approach:
Terminology matters: a transgenic animal stably carries the exogenous genetic material in all cells derived from the modified germ line, whereas a chimera often contains a mixture of genetically distinct cell populations and may not transmit the modification unless germ cells are derived from the modified lineage. Vectors and enzymes are tools, not organisms.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Mendelian inheritance patterns of the transgene in offspring, plus sequencing of junctions, confirm stable, heritable integration consistent with a transgenic animal.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Chimera: mosaic organism with mixed cell lineages; may not be germline-transmitting.
• Vector: DNA carrier, not an organism.
• Enzyme: refers to ligases or recombinases, not animals.
• Knockdown: typically RNA interference or antisense, often non-integrating and not necessarily heritable.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing chimeric founders with true transgenics; only germline transmission confirms transgenic status.

Final Answer:
A transgenic animal