Question

Gluten is a mix of proteins that are produced in some grains, such as wheat. Rice does not naturally contain gluten in its grains. However, scientists have used a method which induced mutations in rice plants and successfully created a strain of rice that produces gluten. The method involved exposing plants, seeds, or pollen to radiation. The resulting plants were then grown and tested for different traits.

Which statement best describes the effect of the radiation on the rice plants?
A.
The radiation caused changes to the genetic material of the rice plants, which turned them into wheat plants.
B.
The radiation caused changes to the genetic material of the rice plants, which lead to the production of new proteins.
C.
The radiation caused changes to the proteins of the rice plants, which lead to the creation of a new species of plant.
D.
The radiation caused changes to the proteins of the rice plants, which transformed the plants' proteins into gluten.

Answer 1

B

Radiation can induce mutations in the plants' genetic material (DNA). Those genetic changes can alter genes so the plants produce different or new proteins (in this case, proteins like gluten). It does not magically turn rice into wheat, nor does it simply "transform" existing proteins—the effect is genetic.