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Question #132930

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): During the downstream processing of recombinant HIV structural polyproteins, the extraction buffers must be strictly supplemented with specific protease inhibitors.

Reason (R): The recombinant polyproteins possess specific cleavage motifs that undergo premature fragmentation by endogenous host proteases or auto-catalysis, mimicking the viral maturation phase and rendering the isolated product inactive.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Options

A.
Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
B.
Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C.
(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
D.
(A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Regulatory_Failure

Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.

Concepts Behind This Question

Reverse Transcriptase|Downstream Processing|Proteolytic Enzymes

Why This Question Is Tricky

Examiner Levers

Logical Assertion

Tests the causal relationship between two true statements.

Difficulty Boost : +4

Common Mistakes

Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize 'Downstream Processing' merely as 'separation and purification' without considering the biochemical vulnerabilities of the recombinant product (like proteolytic degradation).

This question tests the ability to synthesize concepts from 'Biotechnology: Principles and Processes' (downstream formulation) and 'Human Health and Disease' (HIV polyprotein cleavage during maturation), requiring the student to recognize that the very mechanism a virus uses to mature becomes a liability during industrial protein isolation.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

Subject	Biology
Chapter	Biotechnology : Principles and Processes - Class 12
Concept	Downstream Processing
Difficulty	8
Cognitive Load	5
Target Solve Time	120 sec
Access	Free