Question

The process of RNA interference has been used in the development of plants resistant to?

• A. Insects
• B. Nematodes
• C. Viruses
• D. Fungi

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Nematodes

The correct option is B.

Explanation for correct option:

1. RNAi has also been used in plants to develop nematode resistance, and this strategy has emerged as a novel tool for controlling plant parasitic nematodes.
2. Engineered plants can create dsRNAs with the ability to mute specific genes in the nematode body.
3. The transfer of dsRNAs from plant to nematode happens by the ingestion of plant cytoplasm into the nematode body, which speeds up the RNAi process, resulting in the silencing of targeted genes via dsRNA.

Explanation for incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Any little creature having six legs and three segments to its body Insects frequently have wings as well.
2. Insects include ants, bees, and flies.
3. Any member of the largest class of the phylum Arthropoda, which is itself the largest of the animal phyla, is an insect (class Insecta or Hexapoda).

Option C:

1. A virus is an infectious microorganism made up of a nucleic acid segment (DNA or RNA) encased in a protein coat.
2. A virus cannot replicate on its own; instead, it must infect cells and use host cell components to replicate itself.

Option D:

1. Fungi are generally decomposers, meaning they get their nourishment from decomposing or dead organic materials (usually plants).
2. Insoluble polysaccharides, such as cellulose and lignin in dead wood, can be broken down by fungal exoenzymes into readily absorbable glucose molecules.

Final answer: The process of RNA interference has been used in the development of plants resistant to nematodes.