Botanists notice distorted leaves on several ferns in a university plant collection. They need to find out immediately, while still on site, whether the ferns contain one particular virus. How should the botanists identify whether this virus is present?
Use a testing kit containing monoclonal antibodies that bind to the virus.
Add fertiliser and check whether the next leaves produced are normally shaped.
Record whether nearby ferns later develop the same pattern of leaf distortion.
Check the affected ferns for other signs, such as discolouration and stunted growth.
133 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Biology 3.3 Plant disease, covering 3.3.1 Detection and identification of plant diseases and 3.3.2 Plant defence responses. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.