Question

In "Flavr Savr" tomato, expression of a native tomato gene has been blocked to

• A. prevent degradation of cellulose in cell wall
• B. cause degradation of cellulose in cell wall
• C. prevent degradation of pectin in cell wall
• D. cause degradation of pectin in cell wall

Answer 1

The correct option is C prevent degradation of pectin in cell wall

The tomato variety 'Flavr Savr' presents an example where expression of a native tomato gene has been blocked. Fruit softening is promoted by the enzyme polygalacturonase, which degrades pectin. Production of polygalacturonase is blocked in the transgenic tomato variety 'Flavr Savr' to prevent the degradation pectin in the cell walls in order to avoid fruit softening. So, fruits of this tomato variety remain fresh and retain their flavour much longer than the fruits of normal tomato varieties.