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Question #46946
The Question
During the commercial production of Nucleopolyhedrovirus for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, a bioreactor is contaminated with extreme halophilic Archaebacteria. A technician attempts to isolate the Archaea by drastically increasing the salinity of the medium, assuming the virus, being non-cellular, will remain unaffected. However, the harvested viral batch completely fails to control the target insect pests in the field. Which of the following best explains this loss of biocontrol efficacy?
Options
- A.
The high salinity denatured the viral protein capsid, disrupting the structural integrity required for the narrow-spectrum infectivity of the virus.
- B.
The halophilic Archaea acted as an alternate host, causing the virus to permanently lose its species-specific affinity for arthropods.
- C.
The extreme salt concentration directly degraded the double-stranded RNA genome of the virus, preventing its replication in the host.
- D.
The high salt environment induced a mutation that transformed the virus into a broad-spectrum pathogen, leading to its rapid clearance by non-target organisms.
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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
Baculovirus Host Specificity|Archaebacteria Cell Wall Composition|Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize that viruses are 'inert outside the host' and mistakenly assume that environmental extremes (like high salinity) only affect living cells (like bacteria) while leaving viral particles functionally intact.
This question also tests the 'Common Half-Truth' trap by embedding the incorrect genetic material (dsRNA instead of dsDNA) in Option C, forcing students to recall the exact viral genome of Baculoviruses alongside extremophile ecology.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biological Classification - Class 11 |
| Concept | Archaebacteria Cell Wall Composition |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |