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Question #46630
The Question
To protect a commercially valuable livestock species from a lethal, endemic nematode parasite, scientists develop a transgenic line utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) that targets a crucial developmental gene of the nematode. Over several decades, this transgenic line completely replaces the wild-type livestock in the region. Based on the evolutionary ecology of parasitism and anthropogenic action, which of the following represents the most likely long-term consequence of this widespread intervention?
Options
- A.
The nematode population will undergo stabilizing selection, gradually evolving into a benign commensal organism within the transgenic host.
- B.
Intense directional selection will favor nematode variants with mutations in the targeted mRNA sequence, potentially accelerating the evolution of hyper-virulent strains or a host-shift.
- C.
The nematode will experience a severe genetic bottleneck followed by adaptive radiation into multiple non-parasitic, free-living soil variants.
- D.
The host's RNAi mechanism will induce reverse transcription in the nematode, permanently integrating the host's resistance gene into the parasite's genome.
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
Lotka_Volterra|Parasitism|Evolutionary_Ecology_of_Parasitism
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often compartmentalize NCERT chapters, viewing RNAi (Biotechnology) as a 'permanent cure' while forgetting the principles of 'Evolution by anthropogenic action' (Evolution).
The trap lies in failing to recognize that transgenic resistance imposes the same directional selection pressure as chemical pesticides, inevitably driving host-parasite co-evolution and potential host-shifts.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Organisms and Populations - Class 12 |
| Concept | Birth/Death Rate vs Immigration/Emigration |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |