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Question #46452
The Question
A large, panmictic human population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for a specific autosomal recessive disorder. A nationwide biotechnology intervention is launched to combat the disease. Which of the following interventions will act as an artificial evolutionary force, directly altering the recessive allele frequency (q) in the population's gene pool over successive generations?
Options
- A.
Ex vivo somatic cell gene therapy using retroviral vectors to introduce functional genes into the lymphocytes of patients.
- B.
CRISPR-Cas9 mediated targeted gene correction in the germinal epithelium of heterozygous carrier individuals.
- C.
Periodic intravenous infusion of genetically engineered functional enzymes to all homozygous recessive individuals.
- D.
In vivo delivery of functional alleles directly into the affected somatic target organs using adenoviral vectors.
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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
Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Variables|Gene Therapy Germline vs Somatic
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
The 'Conceptual Pivot' is the distinction between somatic and germline interventions in population genetics.
A common misconception is that curing a genetic disease (phenotypic rescue via somatic therapy or ERT) removes the defective allele from the population's gene pool.
Students must synthesize Biotechnology (Somatic vs.
Germline therapy) with Evolutionary Biology (Hardy-Weinberg variables) to recognize that only germline alterations affect the heritable gene pool.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Evolution - Class 12 |
| Concept | Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium Variables |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |