[Campbell Biology P.806] Dr. Gonsalves' team developed a virus-resistant "Rainbow" papaya us... | Practice Question
Dr. Gonsalves' team developed a virus-resistant "Rainbow" papaya using a "gene gun." Which statement best explains this technique and the underlying scientific shift?
A: They used a gene gun to shoot viral DNA directly into mature papaya trees, enabling rapid resistance through artificial selection.
B: The technique involved isolating a mild strain of the virus and introducing its coat protein gene into papaya embryos via DNA-coated tungsten beads, representing a shift from classical virology to molecular biology.
C: They genetically engineered the soil to transfer resistance genes to papaya roots, which was a new approach in agricultural engineering.
D: The "gene gun" helped them to cross-breed resistant wild papaya varieties with cultivated ones, a method rooted in traditional plant breeding.
Explanation
Dr. Gonsalves' initial strategy was artificial selection, but he later shifted to molecular biology. His team used a 'gene gun' to shoot DNA-coated tungsten beads carrying the coat protein gene of the ringspot virus into papaya embryos. This allowed for the creation of genetically modified plants resistant to the virus, like the 'Rainbow' variety.