Before You Begin
Question #45159
The Question
A patient receives standard gene therapy for Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency using genetically engineered lymphocytes. Concurrently, a transgenic sheep is engineered to produce α-1-antitrypsin for the treatment of emphysema. Which of the following represents the fundamental difference in the genetic modification strategies and outcomes between these two scenarios?
Options
- A.
The ADA patient's modification is restricted to somatic cells necessitating periodic infusions, whereas the sheep's modification involves germline integration allowing heritable mass production of the protein.
- B.
The ADA patient receives a permanent cure through in vivo retroviral vector integration, whereas the sheep undergoes ex vivo somatic cell modification for transient protein expression.
- C.
The therapeutic gene in the ADA patient is expressed systemically across all tissue types, whereas the transgene in the sheep is expressed exclusively in its respiratory tract to treat emphysema.
- D.
Both utilize retroviral vectors for stable germline integration, but the ADA patient produces an intracellular enzyme while the sheep produces an extracellular circulating hormone.
Check Your Answer
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
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin|Molecular Farming|Vector Integration
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between somatic cell modification (transient, non-heritable, patient-specific repair) and germline modification (stable, heritable, transgenic bioreactors).
The trap lies in the NCERT exception: students often assume 'gene therapy' implies a permanent cure, forgetting the explicit NCERT line that genetically engineered lymphocytes are mortal and require periodic infusions unless the gene is introduced at the early embryonic stage.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biotechnology and Its Applications - Class 12 |
| Concept | Gene Therapy Germline vs Somatic |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |