Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Biotechnology and its Applications

Question:

Which part of tobacco plant is infected by Meloidegyne incognitia ?

Options:

Shoot

Leaf

Root

Flower

Correct Answer:

Root

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Root

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).Using Agrobacterium vectors, nematode-specific genes were introduced into the host plant . The introduction of DNA was such that it produced both sense and anti-sense RNA in the host cells. These two RNA’s being complementary to each other formed a double stranded (dsRNA) that initiated RNAi and thus, silenced the specific mRNA of the nematode.