Subtopic: Fundamentals of Cell structure and signaling
Question Statement:
Determine the correctness or otherwise of the following Assertion (a) and Reason (r).
Assertion: The production of secondary metabolites in plant cell c ultures is enhanced by the
addition of elicitors.
Reason: Elicitors induce the expression of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of
secondary metabolites.
Options:
(A) Both (a) and (r) are true but (r) is not the correct reason for (a)
(B) Both (a) and (r) are true and (r) is the correct reason for (a)
(C) (a) is true but (r) is false
(D) (a) is false but (r) is true
Official Answer Key:
B
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Step-by-Step Derivation (GATE BT 2012 Q.34)**
**1. Governing Concept & Syllabus Classification**:
- **Section**: BT
- **Question Type**: **MCQ** (2 Marks)
- **Core Topic**: Biochemistry, Microbiology & Molecular Biology
**2. Detailed Step-by-Step Analytical & Scientific Derivation**:
- **Systematic Conceptual & Option-by-Option Evaluation**:
- Problem Focus: *"Determine the correctness or otherwise of the following Assertion (a) and Reason (r).
Assertion: The production of secondary metabolites in plant cell c ultures is enhanced by the
addition of elicitors.
Reason: Elic..."*
- **Option (B) [CORRECT]**: *"Both (a) and (r) are true and (r) is the correct reason for (a)"*
- Validated by canonical biochemistry/biotechnology literature. Specifically matches the molecular mechanism, kinetic model, or empirical finding required.
- **Option (A) [INCORRECT]**: *"Both (a) and (r) are true but (r) is not the correct reason for (a)"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity.
- **Option (C) [INCORRECT]**: *"(a) is true but (r) is false"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity.
- **Option (D) [INCORRECT]**: *"(a) is false but (r) is true"* does not satisfy the precise boundary conditions or molecular specificity.
**3. Final Answer / Verification Summary**:
- **Official GATE Answer Key**: **B**
- **Scoring Criteria**: 2 Marks (Negative marking: -0.66 marks).
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