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Question #45156
The Question
To combat severe Vitamin A deficiency, a country completely replaces its diverse native rice cultivation with a single transgenic strain of Golden Rice. Ecologists criticize this move by citing Paul Ehrlich’s Rivet Popper Hypothesis. In this context, which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding the ecological impact of this agricultural shift?
Options
- A.
The widespread monoculture of Golden Rice reduces intraspecific genetic diversity, analogous to removing 'minor rivets' from an airplane wing.
- B.
The loss of heirloom varieties diminishes the evolutionary plasticity of the crop, making the agricultural ecosystem highly vulnerable to sudden environmental stressors.
- C.
The introduction of the transgenic strain acts as a 'keystone rivet', which inherently increases the resilience of the ecosystem by providing superior nutritional yield.
- D.
This genetic homogenization accelerates genetic erosion, compromising the raw material required for future natural or artificial selection.
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
Biodiversity_Loss|Stability|Transgenic_Monoculture
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often confuse 'agronomic/nutritional superiority' with 'ecological resilience'.
While Golden Rice is nutritionally superior (high beta-carotene), its exclusive cultivation as a monoculture destroys genetic diversity.
The trap relies on the student assuming that a 'better' genetically modified crop automatically strengthens the ecosystem, failing to apply the Rivet Popper Hypothesis which warns against the loss of 'redundant' or 'minor' genetic variations.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biotechnology and Its Applications - Class 12 |
| Concept | Golden Rice Nutrition |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |