Question

Choose the correct option.
Assertion [A] : Insulin can be produced in bacterial cells.
Reason [R] : Genetic engineering techniques can be used to transfer genes across species.

• A. [A] is true and [R] is false
• B. [A] is false and [R] is true
• C. Both [A] and [R] are true and [R] is a correct explanation to [A]
• D. Both [A] and [R] are true but [R] is not a correct explanation to [A]

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both [A] and [R] are true and [R] is a correct explanation to [A]

Gene transfer in nature occurs within species as a result of sexual reproduction. Genetic engineering enables us to overcome barriers of gene transfer between species. For example, genes can be taken from an organism such as bacteria and inserted into a plant. Therefore, it follows that insulin can be produced in bacterial cells as a direct result of genetic engineering techniques that have enabled us to transfer genes across species, in this case the insulin gene which is not native to bacteria.