RNA interference (RNAi) technique has been devised to protect the plants from the nematode. In this technique , mRNA, of nematode, is silenced by _______
produced by the host plant :

Options

A. dsDNA
B. ssDNA
C. dsRNA
D. Target proteins

Answer

To answer the question regarding the RNA interference (RNAi) technique used to protect plants from nematodes, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding RNA Interference (RNAi)**:
- RNA interference is a biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules. This is a natural mechanism that occurs in many eukaryotic organisms.

2. **Role of mRNA in Nematodes**:
- Nematodes, such as Meloidogyne incognita, can infect plant roots and cause significant damage, leading to reduced crop yields. The mRNA of these nematodes is crucial for their survival and reproduction.

3. **Mechanism of RNAi**:
- In the RNAi mechanism, specific mRNA molecules can be silenced by complementary RNA sequences. This silencing occurs when double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is introduced into the plant cells.

4. **Source of Complementary RNA**:
- The complementary RNA that silences the nematode mRNA can be produced by the host plant itself. This dsRNA binds to the nematode mRNA, preventing its translation into proteins, effectively silencing the gene expression of the nematode.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, in the context of the question, the mRNA of the nematode is silenced by **double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)** produced by the host plant.

### Final Answer:
The mRNA of the nematode is silenced by **double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)** produced by the host plant.

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