Determine the correctness or otherwise of the following Assertion and Reason (r). Assertion: The production of secondary metabolites in plant cell cultures is enhanced by the addition of elicitors. Reason: Elicitors induce the expression of enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites.
Assertion and Reason Analysis: Plant Secondary Metabolites
This section evaluates the relationship between elicitors and the production of secondary metabolites in plant cell cultures.
Assertion Validity
The Assertion states that adding elicitors to plant cell cultures enhances the production of secondary metabolites. This is a well-established phenomenon in plant biotechnology. Elicitors are molecules that trigger defense responses or metabolic changes in plants, including increased synthesis of specific compounds.
Reason Validity
The Reason explains that elicitors work by inducing the expression of key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. This is the primary mechanism through which elicitors stimulate production. By activating the genes encoding these enzymes, elicitors upregulate the metabolic pathways leading to the desired secondary metabolites.
Relationship Between Assertion and Reason
The Reason directly explains the mechanism behind the Assertion. The enhanced production of secondary metabolites (Assertion) occurs precisely because elicitors activate the enzymes required for their synthesis (Reason).
Conclusion
Therefore, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.
- Assertion: True. Elicitors increase secondary metabolite yields in plant cell cultures.
- Reason: True. Elicitors activate the enzymes necessary for secondary metabolite synthesis.
- Relationship: The Reason accurately explains the Assertion.
The correct option is the one stating that both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation for the Assertion.
Important Questions from Production of Secondary Metabolites
- Match the secondary metabolites (Column-I) with the corresponding plant species (Column-II).
Column-I Column-II P. Morphine 1. *Datura stramonium* Q. Pyrethrins 2. *Catharanthus roseus* R. Scopolamine 3. *Papaver somniferum* S. Vincristine 4. *Tagetes erecta* - Which of the following plant-based secondary metabolites belong(s) to the class of alkaloids?
- Which one of the following plant secondary metabolites is a natural insecticide?
- The pungency of mustard seeds is primarily due to secondary metabolites such as isothiocyanate and nitrile. The pungency is usually felt only when the seeds are crushed. This is because of
Vincristine and vinblastine, two commercially important secondary metabolites from Catharanthus roseus, are examples of ______
