Before You Begin
Question #46590
The Question
Baculoviruses of the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus are ideal biocontrol agents because of their species-specific, narrow-spectrum insecticidal applications. If a genetic mutation artificially expands the host range of a Nucleopolyhedrovirus to infect multiple sympatric non-target insect species, which of the following represents the most likely long-term evolutionary consequence?
Options
- A.
A. The virus will achieve maximum ecological fitness by permanently eradicating all susceptible pest populations in the ecosystem.
- B.
B. The disruption of the specific host-parasite equilibrium will trigger intense reciprocal selection, accelerating the emergence of viral-resistant insect strains.
- C.
C. The mutation will eliminate the need for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the virus will competitively exclude all other pathogens.
- D.
D. The broad-spectrum nature of the mutated virus will reduce the selection pressure on the host's immune genes, preventing resistance.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Baculovirus|Ecological Fitness (Darwinian Fitness)|Host Specificity
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often mistakenly assume that a 'broader host range' or 'killing more pests' makes a biocontrol agent biologically superior.
They fail to synthesize NCERT's ecology and evolution concepts to realize that extreme lethality and broad-spectrum infection disrupt the delicate host-parasite equilibrium.
Just like broad-spectrum antibiotics, a broad-spectrum virus acts as a massive selection pressure that rapidly breeds resistance, defeating the long-term purpose of the biocontrol agent.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Microbes in Human Welfare - Class 12 |
| Concept | Baculovirus Host Specificity |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |