Question:
Golden rice is a promising transgenic crop. When released for cultivation, it will help in :
Golden rice is a promising transgenic crop. When released for cultivation, it will help in :
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Associate "Golden" with the rich yellow color of $\beta$-carotene (just like carrots!). This visual reminder helps you remember that Golden Rice is modified to produce Vitamin A precursors.
Updated On: Jul 7, 2026
- Producing petrol-like fuel
- Reduction of Vitamin A deficiency in humans
- Pest resistance
- Herbicide tolerance
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks about the primary nutritional and agricultural purpose of developing and cultivating the genetically modified (transgenic) crop known as Golden Rice.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Golden Rice (Oryza sativa) is a genetically engineered variety designed for biofortification—the process of increasing the density of vitamins or minerals in a crop through genetic modification.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Standard rice grains naturally produce $\beta$-carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A) in the green vegetative leaves, but the biosynthetic pathway is completely inactive in the edible endosperm part of the grain.
To address widespread micronutrient malnutrition in developing nations, scientists introduced two specific genes into the rice genome: the psy (phytoene synthase) gene from daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and the crtI (phytoene desaturase) gene from the soil bacterium Erwinia uredovora.
The successful integration and expression of these foreign genes complete the metabolic pathway inside the endosperm cells, allowing the rice grains to accumulate $\beta$-carotene.
This accumulated pigment imparts a characteristic golden-yellow color to the grains, giving it the name "Golden Rice."
When ingested, $\beta$-carotene is cleaved and metabolized by enzymes in the human small intestine into active retinol (Vitamin A). Thus, its primary humanitarian and clinical objective is to counteract childhood blindness, xerophthalmia, and immune vulnerabilities associated with Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD).
It has no role in bio-fuel synthesis (A), insect pest resistance (C, which is a property of Bt crops), or herbicide tolerance (D, which is a property of HT crops).
Step 4: Final Answer:
Golden rice is cultivated to reduce Vitamin A deficiency in human populations, which is correctly matching option (B).
The question asks about the primary nutritional and agricultural purpose of developing and cultivating the genetically modified (transgenic) crop known as Golden Rice.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Golden Rice (Oryza sativa) is a genetically engineered variety designed for biofortification—the process of increasing the density of vitamins or minerals in a crop through genetic modification.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Standard rice grains naturally produce $\beta$-carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A) in the green vegetative leaves, but the biosynthetic pathway is completely inactive in the edible endosperm part of the grain.
To address widespread micronutrient malnutrition in developing nations, scientists introduced two specific genes into the rice genome: the psy (phytoene synthase) gene from daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) and the crtI (phytoene desaturase) gene from the soil bacterium Erwinia uredovora.
The successful integration and expression of these foreign genes complete the metabolic pathway inside the endosperm cells, allowing the rice grains to accumulate $\beta$-carotene.
This accumulated pigment imparts a characteristic golden-yellow color to the grains, giving it the name "Golden Rice."
When ingested, $\beta$-carotene is cleaved and metabolized by enzymes in the human small intestine into active retinol (Vitamin A). Thus, its primary humanitarian and clinical objective is to counteract childhood blindness, xerophthalmia, and immune vulnerabilities associated with Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD).
It has no role in bio-fuel synthesis (A), insect pest resistance (C, which is a property of Bt crops), or herbicide tolerance (D, which is a property of HT crops).
Step 4: Final Answer:
Golden rice is cultivated to reduce Vitamin A deficiency in human populations, which is correctly matching option (B).
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