Question

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the flowering locus C (FLC) gene codes for a regulatory protein that suppresses flowering. FLC is expressed in seedlings to prevent premature flowering. In mature plants, FLC expression decreases with cooler temperatures, and flowering occurs once sufficiently cool temperatures are reached.

If small interfering RNA (siRNA) that is complementary to FLC mRNA is introduced, how would RNA interference (RNAi) affect flowering?

a. RNAi is found in prokaryotes and would not affect Arabidopsis.
b. RNAi would bind irreversibly to FLC mRNA and stimulate flowering.
c. RNAi would degrade FLC mRNA and repress flowering.
d. RNAi would degrade FLC mRNA and stimulate flowering.
e. RNAi would induce methylation of chromatin and repress flowering.

Answer 1

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the flowering locus C (FLC) gene codes for a regulatory protein that suppresses flowering. FLC is expressed in seedlings to prevent premature flowering. In mature plants, FLC expression decreases with cooler temperatures, and flowering occurs once sufficiently cool temperatures are reached.

If small interfering RNA (siRNA) that is complementary to FLC mRNA is introduced, how would RNA interference (RNAi) affect flowering?

D- RNAi would degrade FLC mRNA and stimulate flowering.

Step-by-step explanation:

Arabidopsis thaliana is a small flowering plant native to Eurasia (the old continent) and Africa. This plant has a small genome that is diploid. This is why it is useful and easier for genetic mapping and sequencing. It is commonly used for understanding the molecular biology of some plant traits, maybe due to the fact that it was the first plant to have its genome sequenced.