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Question #45152

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

An ecologist and a geneticist collaborate to explain Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) using Paul Ehrlich’s 'Rivet Popper Hypothesis.' They equate the patient's immune system to an airplane and the critical T and B lymphocytes to the 'rivets on the wings.' The loss of these 'rivets' leads to systemic immune collapse due to a specific enzyme deficiency. Regarding this enzyme and its genetic correction, which of the following statements is NOT correct?

Options

  • A.

    The missing 'rivet' function is linked to Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), an enzyme crucial for purine metabolism and lymphocyte survival.

  • B.

    Introducing functional ADA cDNA into the patient's cultured lymphocytes using a retroviral vector and returning them to the patient provides a permanent cure.

  • C.

    If the gene isolated from marrow cells producing ADA is introduced into cells at early embryonic stages, it could serve as a permanent cure.

  • D.

    While enzyme replacement therapy and bone marrow transplantation can temporarily restore the immune 'rivets,' they are not completely curative.

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Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Comparative_Analysis

Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.

Concepts Behind This Question

ADA Deficiency|Bone Marrow Transplantation|Rivet Popper

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

Conceptual Pivot: The trap exploits the distinction between a 'temporary treatment' and a 'permanent cure' in gene therapy.

Students frequently misread the NCERT text, assuming that the successful 1990 gene therapy using retroviral vectors on cultured lymphocytes was a permanent fix, failing to recall that lymphocytes have a finite lifespan and require periodic infusion unless corrected at the embryonic stage.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectBiology
ChapterBiotechnology and Its Applications - Class 12
ConceptTransgenic Animal Purpose
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load5
Target Solve Time120 sec
AccessFree