Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The baseline of plant innate immunity is PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI).
It is based on the recognition of conserved microbial molecular signatures by specialized host cell-surface receptors.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements:
Statement I:
PAMPs (Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns) or MAMPs (Microbe-Associated Molecular Patterns) are molecules that are essential for the survival, structural integrity, or life cycle of the microbe.
Examples include bacterial flagellin (flg22), peptidoglycans, and fungal chitin.
Because they perform vital physiological functions, they are encoded by highly conserved genetic loci in the pathogen, and mutations in these loci are often lethal or highly deleterious.
Thus, Statement I is correct.
Statement II:
Plants have evolved transmembrane proteins called Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) to detect these PAMPs.
These receptors (e.g., FLS2 for flagellin recognition) are highly conserved across diverse plant species to maintain basic defense capabilities.
Thus, Statement II is correct.
Step 2: Final Answer:
Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
Therefore, the correct option is (A).