Given below are two statements:
• [Statement (I):] Horizontal gene transfer among the microbes is responsible for the transmission of virulence factors.
• [Statement (II):] Horizontal gene transfer can happen between microbes and plants also.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Given below are two statements:
• [Statement (I):] Horizontal gene transfer among the microbes is responsible for the transmission of virulence factors.
• [Statement (II):] Horizontal gene transfer can happen between microbes and plants also.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Show Hint
- Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
- Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
- Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
- Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) is the movement of genetic material between unicellular or multicellular organisms other than by vertical transmission (parent to offspring).
HGT is a major driver of evolutionary change and genetic variation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the two statements:
- Statement (I) is correct: Microbes frequently exchange genetic material through processes like conjugation, transformation, and transduction.
This horizontal exchange allows virulence factors, toxin-producing genes, and antibiotic resistance genes to spread rapidly among different bacterial strains and species.
For example, the transfer of pathogenicity islands on plasmids can convert a harmless bacterium into a pathogen.
- Statement (II) is correct: HGT can also occur across different domains of life, including transfers from microbes to plants.
The classic example of this is Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a soil-dwelling bacterium that causes crown gall disease.
During infection, Agrobacterium transfers a specific segment of its tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid, called T-DNA, directly into the nucleus of the host plant cell.
This T-DNA integrates into the plant's genomic DNA, directing the plant to synthesize opines (nutrients for the bacteria) and phytohormones.
This natural inter-domain genetic transfer is the basis for modern plant genetic engineering.
Therefore, both statements are correct.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct, matching Option (A).
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Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
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