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Question #45177
The Question
To develop resistance against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, a researcher uses an Agrobacterium vector to introduce nematode-specific genes into a tobacco plant. However, the vector suffers a spontaneous deletion in its T-DNA integration machinery prior to plant infection. Upon subsequent exposure of this plant to the nematode, which of the following molecular events will be observed?
Options
- A.
The host plant will fail to produce complementary sense and anti-sense RNAs, preventing dsRNA formation and allowing nematode mRNA translation to proceed.
- B.
The host plant will synthesize dsRNA, but the absence of T-DNA will prevent its transport into the feeding nematode's gut.
- C.
The nematode will ingest the plant's mRNA, but post-transcriptional gene silencing will fail due to the absence of Agrobacterium vir genes inside the nematode.
- D.
The plant will produce only sense RNA instead of dsRNA, which will competitively inhibit the nematode's endogenous mRNA without silencing it.
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
Biopiracy and Patents|GEAC Oversight|Convention on Biological Diversity
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize the association between 'Agrobacterium' and 'RNAi' without understanding the sequential dependency of the molecular events.
The trap lies in failing to recognize that RNAi (a post-transcriptional event) is entirely dependent on the successful genomic integration of the T-DNA (a pre-transcriptional prerequisite).
If integration fails, the entire downstream RNAi cascade collapses at step zero.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biotechnology and Its Applications - Class 12 |
| Concept | GEAC Oversight |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |