NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
In the process of RNA interference (RNAi) utilized to develop nematode-resistant plants, the source of the complementary RNA could be:
Options
- AMobile genetic elements that replicate via an RNA intermediate
- BCry genes isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis
- CSelectable marker genes such as amp^ R or tet^ R
- DT-DNA from the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Correct answer
A. Mobile genetic elements that replicate via an RNA intermediate
Step-by-step solution
RNA interference (RNAi) is a method of cellular defense present in all eukaryotic organisms. It involves the silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA. The source of this complementary RNA could be from an infection by viruses having RNA genomes or mobile genetic elements (transposons) that replicate via an RNA intermediate. Therefore, mobile genetic elements that replicate via an RNA intermediate serve as a source of complementary RNA in t