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Question #47764
The Question
A biosafety failure results in the release of a transgenic crop into the wild. The crop's genome contains a vector sequence with an ampicillin resistance gene (ampR) originally used as a selectable marker. Native soil bacteria acquire this ampR gene via horizontal gene transfer. In soil contaminated with agricultural antibiotic runoff, these transformed bacteria rapidly eliminate the native wild-type strains occupying the identical ecological niche. Which of the following statements regarding this event is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The transformed bacteria act analogously to an alien invasive species, reducing local microbial biodiversity.
- B.
The complete displacement of the wild-type strains by the transformed bacteria illustrates Gause's Competitive Exclusion Principle.
- C.
The ampR gene provides a selective advantage by functioning as an origin of replication (ori) to increase the bacterial multiplication rate.
- D.
The antibiotic runoff serves as a directional selection pressure that favors the survival of the transformed bacterial phenotype.
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
Bioreactor Geometry|Nutrient Immobility|Activated Sludge Inoculum
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Functional confusion between cloning vector components.
Students often conflate the role of a selectable marker (which provides a survival advantage via resistance) with the origin of replication (which controls replication initiation and copy number).
Furthermore, the question successfully bridges Biotechnology (vector components and horizontal gene transfer) with Ecology (Gause's Competitive Exclusion Principle and Alien Species Invasion), testing deep NCERT synthesis.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biotechnology : Principles and Processes - Class 12 |
| Concept | Bioreactor Geometry |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |