[Campbell Biology P.851] Suppose plants were genetically modified to be unresponsive to vira... | Practice Question

Suppose plants were genetically modified to be unresponsive to viral movement proteins. Based on the text, would this be an effective strategy to prevent the systemic spread of viral infections within the plant?

  • A: Yes, because viral movement proteins are essential for dilating plasmodesmata, which allows cell-to-cell passage of viral RNA, and preventing this would stop local and systemic spread.
  • B: No, because viruses can still spread efficiently through the apoplast, circumventing the need for plasmodesmata.
  • C: Yes, but this modification would also significantly inhibit the plant's natural ability to regulate plasmodesmata for normal communication.
  • D: No, because plant cells would likely compensate by producing their own proteins to help viruses pass through undilated plasmodesmata.

Explanation

The text explains that plant viruses produce 'viral movement proteins that cause the plasmodesmata to dilate, enabling the viral RNA to pass between cells.' If plants are unresponsive to these specific viral proteins, the plasmodesmata would not dilate, thus preventing the cell-to-cell and systemic spread of the virus within the plant. This directly addresses the 'WHAT IF' scenario presented in the text.