Correct option is C
Explanation-
In C. elegans, 6 vulval precursor cells (P3.p to P8.p) are capable of adopting vulval cell fates. These cells form an equivalence group, meaning they are initially equipotent, but differentiate based on inductive signals from the anchor cell (AC) and other interactions.
Statement A - If the anchor cell is destroyed the VPCs contribute to the formation of hypodermal tissues - Correct
The anchor cell releases LIN-3 (EGF-like signal) to induce vulval fates. Without the anchor cell, no VPCs receive this inductive signal and instead adopt the default fate, which is non-vulval (hypodermal tissue).
Statement B - If the 3 central cells (P5.p to P7.p) are destroyed, the remaining cells can generate vulval cells - Correct
This demonstrates the equivalence of VPCs. If the usual primary and secondary fate cells (P5.p–P7.p) are destroyed, the lateral VPCs (P3.p, P4.p, P8.p) can compensate and form vulval cells if placed near the anchor cell.
Statement C - If expression of lin-3 is increased, VPCs contributing to the secondary lineage can form cells of primary lineage - Correct
Increased LIN-3 signal (EGF) intensity can shift a VPC from adopting secondary fate to a primary fate, demonstrating fate plasticity depending on signal gradient.
Statement D - Ectopic expression of let-23 in P5.p and P7.p VPCs converts them to primary cell lineage - Correct
let-23 encodes the EGF receptor. If it is ectopically expressed, these cells respond more to LIN-3, potentially adopting a primary fate even when they would normally become secondary cells.
So the truly correct combination is: A, B, C, and D
But this is not given as an option in your image. Therefore, the most complete among the given options would have been Option c: A, B and C, though it's still missing D.
