Microbes in Human Welfare: Can You Match the Product to the Microbe?
One tricky NEET-style question on industrial and household uses of microbes. Test yourself on Chapter 8 before the answer drops next week.
The microbes-in-human-welfare topic looks like straightforward memorisation, but NEET loves to swap one organism for another and see if you notice. This question tests exactly that.
The question
Statement I: Trichoderma polysporum is the source of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A.
Statement II: Cyclosporin A is used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs because it inhibits the activation of T-lymphocytes.
Which of the following is correct?
- (A) Statement I is correct; Statement II is correct
- (B) Statement I is correct; Statement II is incorrect
- (C) Statement I is incorrect; Statement II is correct
- (D) Statement I is incorrect; Statement II is incorrect
Before you peek
Read both statements independently. For Statement I, recall the exact organism NCERT names for cyclosporin A. The genus is a clue, but the species trips many people up. For Statement II, think about what NCERT says cyclosporin A actually does in the body. The answer and full explanation will appear on this page next week.
Show the answer
Answer: (A)
Why (A) is right
NCERT Class 12 Biology, Chapter 8 states that cyclosporin A is produced by the fungus Trichoderma polysporum. The chapter also states that cyclosporin A is used as an immunosuppressant drug, particularly in patients who have undergone organ transplants, where it helps prevent the immune system from rejecting the new organ. Its mechanism, as described in NCERT, involves inhibiting the activation of T-lymphocytes. Both statements are therefore correct as NCERT presents them.
Why the others are wrong
- (B) Marks Statement II as incorrect. This is a common slip: some readers remember cyclosporin A is an immunosuppressant but are vague about how it works. NCERT clearly ties it to T-lymphocyte activation, so Statement II is correct.
- (C) Marks Statement I as incorrect. A frequent trap is confusing Trichoderma polysporum with Monascus purpureus (which produces statins) or with Penicillium species. Trichoderma polysporum is specifically named in NCERT for cyclosporin A.
- (D) Both statements are marked wrong. This option tempts anyone who confuses cyclosporin A with another drug entirely, such as streptokinase or statins, and therefore doubts the whole question.
NCERT reference
NCERT Class 12 Biology, Chapter 8: Microbes in Human Welfare. The section on microbes in industrial products lists Trichoderma polysporum as the source of cyclosporin A and describes its role as an immunosuppressant that blocks T-lymphocyte activation, used in organ transplant patients.
Remember it
Trichoderma gives cyclosporin A, which blocks T-cells, which protects the transplanted organ.
Sources
- NCERTNCERT Class 12 Biology, Chapter 8: Microbes in Human Welfare
Think something here is wrong? Email us and we will check it against NCERT.
