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Question #45170
The Question
Consider two transgenic plants: Plant A is modified using antisense RNA technology to suppress polygalacturonase expression (similar to the Flavr Savr tomato), while Plant B is engineered to constitutively express 'cry' genes for insect resistance (similar to Bt Cotton). If both plants are cultivated in an environment completely devoid of insect pests, which of the following statements correctly evaluates their metabolic dynamics and ecological fitness compared to their non-transgenic wild-type counterparts?
Options
- A.
Plant B will likely exhibit lower Darwinian fitness than the wild-type due to the continuous metabolic load of heterologous protein synthesis.
- B.
Plant B conserves cellular ATP because the delta-endotoxin is only synthesized after the plant is physically damaged by the pest.
- C.
Plant A experiences a severe energetic penalty because post-transcriptional gene silencing requires the continuous translation of double-stranded RNA.
- D.
Both plants will outcompete their wild-type counterparts because transgenic modifications inherently increase the overall ecological adaptability of the species.
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
Flavr Savr Tomato Logic|Alien Species Invasion Impacts|Co-extinction Logic
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between the constitutive production of a protoxin in plant tissues versus its activation in the insect gut, integrated with the ecological concept of 'metabolic trade-offs'.
A common misconception is that Bt plants only synthesize the toxin upon pest attack (induced defense), whereas they actually produce it continuously (constitutive defense), which imposes a significant energetic burden that lowers ecological fitness in a pest-free environment.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biotechnology and Its Applications - Class 12 |
| Concept | Flavr Savr Tomato Logic |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |