Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Bioactive molecule, cyclosporin A, that is used as an immunosuppressive agent in organ-transplant patients, is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have been commercialised as blood-cholesterol lowering agents. It acts by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for synthesis of cholesterol. Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods. The majority of baculoviruses used as biological control agents are in the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. These viruses are excellent candidates for species-specific, narrow spectrum insecticidal applications. They have been shown to have no negative impacts on plants, mammals, birds, fish or even on non-target insects. BOD refers to the amount of the oxygen that would be consumed if all the organic matter in one liter of water were oxidised by bacteria. The sewage water is treated till the BOD is reduced. Cheese, is one of the oldest food items in which microbes were used. Different varieties of cheese are known by their characteristic texture, flavour and taste. For example, the large holes in 'Swiss cheese' are due to production of a large amount of CO2 by a bacterium named Propionibacterium sharmanii.
Baculoviruses are-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Biological control agents
Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, the question can have more than one correct answer, i.e. both Option (2) and Option (3), as explained below. The passage says that baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects, and also that they are used as biological control agents. The two go together: because baculoviruses cause disease in insects, we use them to control insect pests. The answer given by NTA names this use. The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it.
Option (1) Pests — Incorrect. Pests are organisms that damage crops, such as aphids and mosquitoes. Baculoviruses are used against pests; they are not pests themselves.
Option (2) Biological control agents — Correct. Biocontrol means controlling plant diseases and pests by biological methods instead of chemicals. Most baculoviruses used for this belong to the genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus. They act only on the target species, with no harm to plants, mammals, birds, fish or other insects, so they suit integrated pest management.
Option (3) Pathogens — Correct as well. A pathogen is a disease-causing organism. Baculoviruses are pathogens that attack insects and other arthropods, which is the first thing the passage says about them.
Option (4) Insects — Incorrect. Baculoviruses are viruses. Insects are their hosts, the organisms they infect.