[Campbell Biology P.476] Which of the following statements accurately describes a difference... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes a difference between RNA interference RNAi and the CRISPR-Cas9 system, according to the provided text?

  • A: RNAi alters the genome permanently, while CRISPR-Cas9 leads to temporary gene expression reduction.
  • B: RNAi is used for large-scale analysis in organisms like nematodes and fruit flies, whereas CRISPR-Cas9 is quicker.
  • C: RNAi triggers the breakdown of messenger RNA or blocks its translation, while CRISPR-Cas9 is associated with permanent gene knockout or alteration.
  • D: RNAi can transmit disease, but CRISPR-Cas9 cannot.

Explanation

The text explicitly states that RNAi 'exploits the phenomenon of RNA interference RNAi ... trigger breakdown of the gene's messenger RNA or to block its translation' and that it 'leads to only a temporary reduction of gene expression rather than a permanent gene knockout or alteration'. The CRISPR-Cas9 system, by contrast, is associated with 'permanent gene knockout or alteration'.