The genes needed for β-carotene synthesis are not normally expressed in endosperm. In the creation of golden rice, how did researchers ensure that these genes were expressed in rice endosperm?
A) The genes were injected only in the endosperm of rice grains.
B) Agrobacterium cells were added only to rice grains, not to any other part of the plant.
C) The protein-coding sequence of each gene was linked to a regulatory region of DNA that directed transcription in endosperm.
D) The wild-type genes were mutated and new mutant alleles that are expressed only in endosperm were selected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order to ensure that the genes needed for β-carotene synthesis were expressed in rice endosperm, the protein-coding sequence of each gene was linked to a regulatory region of DNA that directed transcription in endosperm. This allowed for the specific expression of these genes only in the endosperm tissue of the rice plant, resulting in the production of β-carotene in the edible part of the grain, known as golden rice.

The Genes Needed for β-Carotene Synthesis Are Not Normally Expressed