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Question #45864
The Question
In Griffith’s experiment, the structural stability of the 'transforming principle' facilitated horizontal gene transfer. In higher eukaryotes, genomic stability is similarly protected by 'locking' repetitive DNA and transposons through epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation. If a human cell culture is treated with a potent DNA methyltransferase inhibitor to simulate a primitive state of genomic instability, which of the following will most likely occur during gene expression?
Options
- A.
The spliceosome will bypass all introns with higher efficiency, leading to the translation of a continuous, functional polypeptide.
- B.
Transcriptional noise will increase due to the activation of cryptic splice sites within previously silenced repetitive introns.
- C.
The eukaryotic cells will achieve competence and undergo spontaneous transformation by absorbing naked DNA from the medium.
- D.
RNA polymerase III will preferentially bind to the unmethylated repetitive DNA to synthesize functional mRNA.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Griffith’s Transforming Principle|Human Genome Repetitive DNA|Spliceosome Mechanics
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that 'methylation silences genes' but fail to connect it to the structural integrity of the transcriptome (splicing fidelity).
The primary trap is Option C, which preys on the 'Griffith's experiment' primer in the question stem, tempting students to confuse the analogy of genomic instability with the actual mechanism of bacterial transformation.
Option D tests the NCERT fact regarding the specific functions of eukaryotic RNA polymerases (Pol II makes hnRNA/mRNA, Pol III makes tRNA/5S rRNA).
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Molecular Basis of Inheritance - Class 12 |
| Concept | Griffith’s Transforming Principle |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |