Question

The Golden Rice variety was bio-fortified to address deficiency in ______.

• A. Vitamin C
• B. Iron
• C. Provitamin A
• D. Essential Amino Acids

Hint:

Golden Rice's characteristic golden-yellow color is due to the accumulation of beta-carotene, the same lipid-soluble pigment that makes carrots orange and acts as a precursor to Vitamin A.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Problem:
The question asks to identify the specific micronutrient deficiency that the genetically engineered "Golden Rice" variety was designed to address.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• The Nutritional Problem: Standard white (polished) rice is the primary dietary staple for over half of the global population, but it lacks key micronutrients, including Vitamin A. This deficiency causes childhood blindness and increases mortality from infectious diseases in developing nations.
Golden Rice Development:

• Golden Rice is a genetically modified variety of rice (Oryza sativa) engineered to biosynthesize beta-carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A) in the edible endosperm of the grain.

• The engineering process introduced genes from daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) or maize, along with a soil bacterium (Pantoea ananatis), to complete the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in the grain.

• Visual and Nutritional Result: The accumulated beta-carotene gives the rice grains a characteristic golden-yellow color. Once ingested, the human body converts this beta-carotene (provitamin A) into active Vitamin A (retinol).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Golden Rice was bio-fortified with beta-carotene to address Provitamin A deficiency, corresponding to option (C).