NEETZoologyBiotechnology and Its Applications
What is the role of Agrobacterium vectors in preventing nematode infestation?
Options
- ATo introduce specific genes
- BTo initiate RNAi
- CTo produce dsRNA
- DTo silence specific mRNA
Correct answer
A. To introduce specific genes
Step-by-step solution
Pest Resistant Plants: Several nematodes parasitise a wide variety of plants and animals including human beings. A nematode Meloidegyne incognitia infects the roots of tobacco plants and causes a great reduction in yield. A novel strategy was adopted to prevent this infestation which was based on the process of RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi takes place in all eukaryotic organisms as a method of cellular defense. This method involves silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to an